Backdoor Libations Up Front And Center: Penang's Backdoor Bodega Takeover At The Bar In The Peninsula Manila

One of the world's acclaimed bars from Penang takes centerstage at The Bar of The Peninsula Manila in one memorable evening for yet another edition of the successful and long-running The Bar Takeover series. Step inside The Bar and experience one of Asia's 50 Best Bars at the Backdoor Bodega takeover...

Yun Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar of Penang's acclaimed Backdoor Bodega headline the latest bar takeover series at The Bar of The Peninsula Manila. Voted one of Asia's 50 Best Bars in 2022 and 2024 and 2025's Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award winner, Backdoor Bodega brings its distinctive style and flair expressed in imaginative cocktail creations reflecting Malaysia's progressive cocktail culture. The latest edition in the unique and novel bar takeover series, The Bar at The Peninsula Manila brings you Asia's very best in four creative libations for one evening (for more on The Bar Takeover Series at The Peninsula Manila, see my previous post The Bar Takeover by Bee's Knees Tokyo At The Peninsula Manila from last year). 

Beer, Bagels And Salads At The Fourth CCA Show Kitchen Mixer

It was an evening of strengthening bonds and building new connections over sumptuous salads, refreshing local artisan beers and mouthwatering savory bagels. The fourth CCA Show Kitchen Mixer for the month of November began as it always did. With a whole lot of good vibes and then some...

The monthly mixer series at the CCA Show Kitchen in BGC hosted by CCA Manila Culinary Director Philip John Golding is more than just a professional networking event linking industry partners, suppliers, chefs and students in support of CCA Manila's vision. It's become a monthly call among the community in the sharing of knowledge and celebrating the spirit of collaboration. And when you have culinary professionals together in one venue, you can always expect tasty bites (for more on the CCA Show Kitchen Mixer Series, see my posts Celebrating International Chefs Day With The Michelin Selected Gordon Ramsay Bar And Grill Take Over At The CCA Show Kitchen October Mixer highlighted by the signature and widely acclaimed Beef Wellington, What's Cookin' At The CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer featuring New Zealand Lamb and Oysters, Wine, Sake, Sausages, Sharing Of Knowledge And Building Relevant Connections At The CCA Show Kitchen with master oyster shucker and Tempus Dining Executive Chef Robert Davis). 

Pep & Ronnie Brings Rustic Italian Flavors With Filipino Soul To Makati's Salcedo Village

Makati's busy Salcedo Village never fails to surprise wandering palates with its wide array of sumptuous dining spots. Like a perfectly good slice of brick oven pizza. Tucked away in the narrow backstreets of Makati is one real gem of a find...

Inspired by rustic Italian flavors infused with Filipino soul, Pampanga-based Pep & Ronnie Pizza House heads south with its first branch in Makati showcasing its tempting selection of both traditional and playfully inventive brick oven pizza creations and more. Ready for a slice? Then, read on...

Saga, A Wagyu Tasting Journey At Yawaragi Restaurant In Hotel Okura

For one night only, four acclaimed Japanese chefs showcased exquisite culinary expressions using the very best Wagyu Beef from the famed Saga Prefecture in an elegant 7-course dinner at Yawaragi Restaurant in Hotel Okura Manila. From starters to mains and dessert, each masterfully executed dish reflected the long and meticulous process blending both science and nature behind the world famous Saga Beef. Head on over to your table and embark on a savory culinary journey...

Hotel Okura Manila, Newport World Resorts, Hotel Nikko Osaka and Philippine Wine Merchants hosted the exclusive eight-hands dinner Saga, A Wagyu Tasting Journey at Yawaragi Restaurant led by Chefs Minoru Takashima, Keiichiro Fujino, Ikuma Sato and Katsuji Kato. Throughout the dinner, the legendary buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture and exceptional glossy marbling or "tsuya-sashi" is celebrated with each course and tasty bite in a display of precision, balance and shared respect for Japanese produce and the culinary craft. Definitely one of my culinary highlights for the year and a memorable journey that lingers long after the last bite, read on for more on Saga, A Wagyu Tasting Journey at Yawaragi Restaurant in Hotel Okura Manila...

#HiltonSinagtala: Savor The Festive Flavors Of The Season at Kusina Sea Kitchens in Hilton Manila

The indulgent flavors of the season take the spotlight at Kusina Sea Kitchens in Hilton Manila with a lavish array of global cuisine spread out in several stations in one elegant space. Get into the festive season's vibe with the flavors that drape the palate with a lingering comforting warmth in the much anticipated and most joyous season...

Hilton Manila unveils its tempting selection of dining options in the season of endless feasts, and the extensive offerings at Kusina Sea Kitchens becomes the stage for memorable gatherings with family and friends. Step inside Kusina Sea Kitchens for the Festive Season Buffet and discover the traditional flavors of the holidays...

Ten Years Strong: The Philippine Sustainability Movement Celebrates A Milestone Decade With Renewed Purpose In Transforming Food Systems

Ten years ago, Christian Schmidradner and Claudia Rose Mendez of Pristine Solutions raised the alarm warning of a looming global crisis often disregarded even shrugged off by many. It began with sustainable seafood, but the advocacy has expanded to cover entire food systems matched by a wider cast of engaged multi-sectoral communities in the F&B industry from restaurants, hotels and chefs to retail and trade, suppliers and importers including the academe, private as well as government agencies and NGOs. The advocacy that began a decade back has grown to become a movement for systemic change in the appreciation of food. That evening, the Philippine Sustainability Movement celebrated a major milestone engaging even more sectors to the cause presenting a new chapter in its decade long history. Now let's shuck some fresh and succulent Irish Gallagher Oysters...

The Philippine Sustainability Movement takes the lead once more in its advocacy for sustainability, building trust through traceability, institutionalizing certified responsibility, ethical sourcing, collaboration and advancing organic food and produce with renewed purpose bringing together various communities with a shared advocacy. For over a decade, the Philippine Sustainability Movement presented viable steps for real systemic change in transforming perceptions and practices on food provenance.  At the 10th Anniversary of the movement held at the innovative coworking space, The Collab by Sheraton Manila, pioneering advocates Christian Schmidradner and Claudia Rose Mendez of Pristine Solutions takes environmental stewardship and transparency in food systems at the very top of the agenda with the goal of making sustainability more achievable and directly impacting communities and consumers. Stronger than ever, the Philippine Sustainability Movement embarks on a new chapter with strengthened alliances towards responsible food systems.

No Place Like Home: IKEA Presents The Flavors Of Home Festival For The Holidays

These are exciting times for the local dining scene with the release of the inaugural list for the Philippine edition of the acclaimed Michelin Guide. The country's culinary landscape continues to evolve now with a much larger presence at the global table while deeply rooted in tradition preserving our heritage and identity. Yet after all is said and done, the fact remains that the best seats in the house for a comforting and hearty feast will always be found at home...

Home is a destination where the most meaningful celebrations happen, and IKEA lets you rediscover the infinite possibilities in transforming your space with the Flavors of Home Festival. Explore both style and value with the extensive array of innovative, functional and creative products and design solutions for both the home and kitchen this holiday season at IKEA after all, there really is no place like home... 

Menya Kokoro Unveils Three New Savory Offerings With The A5 Wagyu Mazesoba, A5 Wagyu Don And Iekei Ramen

Staying ahead of the game means continuous innovation. And Menya Kokoro has been doing exactly that since it arrived in Manila back in 2019 with its constant roll-out of creative culinary expressions. Known for their distinctive and award-winning mazesoba or "brothless ramen", Menya Kokoro continues to flex its creative culinary muscle with new seasonal offerings. One new ramen and two sumptuous bowls with mazesoba noods and another with rice topped with premium Wagyu A5 beef from Kagoshima. Ready for a tasty peek?

Menya Kokoro unveils three new seasonal offerings available only for a limited time led by the Wagyu Mazesoba, Wagyu Don and Iekei Ramen available in all branches starting this November. A savory trio of rich and indulgent notes await diners at Menya Kokoro reflecting the brand's commitment to continuous innovation. Now let's grab a bowl...

Celebrating International Chefs Day With The Michelin Selected Gordon Ramsay Bar And Grill Take Over At The CCA Show Kitchen October Mixer

The spirit of collaboration, establishing strong connections over shared advocacies with a common goal of uplifting the local dining scene brings culinary professionals from various sectors together at the monthly gathering hosted by CCA Manila Culinary Director Chef Philip John Golding at the CCA Show Kitchen in BGC. But this monthly mixer becomes even more special coinciding with the International Chef Day celebrations along with the much anticipated announcement of the Philippine edition of the acclaimed and highly coveted Michelin Guide. Milestones were celebrated that evening, forging new alliances strengthening the community with renewed focus on elevating the local dining experience. 

Recently minted as one of 74 local restaurants with the prestigious Michelin Selected recognition by the Michelin Guide, world-renowned Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill at Newport World Resorts solidified its enviable position as one of the top dining destinations in the metro. That evening, the world-class offerings of Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill graced the monthly affair for another memorable edition of the mixer series hosted by the CCA Show Kitchen (for more on the continuing mixer series at the CCA Show Kitchen, see my posts Oysters, Wine, Sake, Sausages, Sharing Of Knowledge And Building Relevant Connections At The CCA Show Kitchen from August this year and What's Cookin' At The CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer from September).

Michelin Selected: MaMaCiTa BGC Makes The Cut For A Rightful Place In The Philippine Edition Of The World Class Guide

A day after the Michelin Guide announced its list, the stars aligned and the star dust settled the following morning as the local dining scene celebrated a significant milestone with culinary professionals enjoying the much deserved recognition. Familiar and expected names made it to the list while some surprisingly didn't. As with all creative endeavors, there will be opposing viewpoints. Taste is after all subjective. But after all is said and done, no one can deny it's impact on the country's evolving restaurant landscape that's finally recognized on the global stage with the release of the Michelin Guide for the Philippines. In the end, this is a win for the local food community. And to honor the first ever inaugural class of local restaurants with the enviable nod of approval from Michelin, we'll be featuring a few of the chosen establishments on the blog celebrating each recognition as a win toward moving the local dining experience forward...

The country's rich and diverse culinary landscape is now on the global dining map with the release of the Philippine edition of the celebrated and much coveted Michelin Guide. One Two-Star establishment, eight One-Star restaurants, twenty-five Michelin Bib Gourmand picks and seventy-four Michelin Selected dining destinations worthy of the recognition. It's an impressive haul no matter how you look at it. While others lamented the limited scope covering "Manila and environs and Cebu," it still is a comprehensive list reflecting value and comforting cuisine all the way to casual and fine dining concepts. Despite the omissions and somewhat limited regional scope, the inaugural listing still represents the very best of Manila and Cebu. And these include all seventy-four Michelin Selected restaurants like MaMaCiTa BGC. "Celebrated for their quality cuisine, Michelin Selected restaurants showcase culinary creativity and consistency," and you'll find all that served with each dish along Forbestown Road with the specialty Mexican offerings at MaMaCiTa BGC...