The Pen postpones wine dinner
IN LINE with the current government restrictions and The Peninsula Manila’s health and safety precautions against the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Spottswoode Wine Dinner which was originally scheduled on Mar. 17, has been moved to Apr. 14. This postponement also gives interested parties more time to arrange their table reservations. For more details, send a message via PenChat, the hotel’s 24-hour e-concierge at https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.
RWM’s Ginzadon reopens
Ginzadon Japanese and Korean restaurant opens its doors to Resorts World Manila’s (RWM) guests once more. Ginzadon is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is located at the 2F of Newport Garden Wing. Payment options include cash, card, and RWM Membership points. To know more about Ginzadon, visit www.rwmanila.com.
Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa opens Sirena restaurant
SHANGRI-LA’S Boracay Resort & Spa has opened the Sirena Seafood Restaurant and the Clifftop Bar for a limited period from Mar. 27 to Apr. 4. They will be offering seafood specialties and cocktails, including its signature gin menu. Guests may celebrate Easter at Vintana Asian Café from Apr. 2 to 3, with a dinner spread, featuring live cooking stations. When opting for bespoke dining, the Unique Private Dining menu offers a Filipino Feast with local culinary favorites, personalized and set either on the beach or at the private Sea Pavilion. For more information and updates on Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, visit www.shangri-la.com/boracay or visit the official Facebook and Instagram pages @ShangriLaBoracay.
Easter at Crimson Hotel
HOP virtually along as the Crimson hotel celebrates the arrival of the Easter Bunny with baskets full of goodies and interactive games for the little ones. Hop Down the Bunny Trail on Apr. 4, 3 p.m., via Zoom. A P999 ticket per participant includes a bunny-themed insulated snack bag loaded with a burger with fries, cheesy popcorn, rainbow cookies, and a basketful of chocolate goodies, and exclusive access to the virtual Easter party full of interactive games and activities. Register via bit.ly/hopdownthebunnytrail. Registration period is ongoing until 5 p.m. of Apr. 2. Limited slots are available. For inquiries, call 0998-963-7094 or e-mail alabang.salescenter1@crimsonhotel.com. Meanwhile, the Crimson Club Lounge offers The Steaks are High on Mar. 20 and 27, from 6-9 p.m. For P1,500 net, the set meal includes a starter of Grilled Prawn with Tom Yum Marination, Basil Oil and Mixed Greens, a main course of Grilled Hanger Tender with Truffle Mashed Sweet Potato, Buttered Char Vegetables with Szechuan Pepper Sauce, and dessert of Savarin Flambe au Rhum. As seats are limited, reservations are required. For inquiries and reservations, call 8863-2222 local 1612 or 0998-961-3409 or e-mail dining@crimsonhotel.com
A taste of celebration with The Plaza Catering
JUST because today’s celebrations are done in small groups or virtually, a celebration is still a celebration. For the past 55 years, The Plaza has been part of many people’s milestones, and today it continues to do so as people can send food to their loved ones. One choice is the Plaza Hamwich kit — a complete set of The Plaza Ham slices with pan de sal and The Plaza’s four signature sauces. Customers can also purchase the sliced ham on it’s own. Meanwhile, The Plaza’s line of frozen convenience food is available at Petron Dasmariñas Makati, Petron La Vista Katipunan, or for purchase through its website www.theplazacatering.com. The Plaza also has Party Packs with themed menus suited for any occasion,including The Plaza Classics, USDA Angus Roast Rib-Eye Dinner, and Spanish Favorites. There is a minimum of 10 party packs per order, and each order must be made at least 3 days in advance. Delivery assistance to multiple locations is available. For orders and inquiries, call 7729-0001 to 03 or 0917-718-2200.
Absolut teams up with local artists
IN LIGHT of the challenges affecting society around the globe, Absolut Vodka rallies behind a new tagline, “It’s In Our Spirit,” recognizing the power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity and reconnect a broken world. In the Philippines, the brand partnered with Filipino artists Eunpyon, Hulyen, Kris Abrigo, and Tokwa Penaflorida to create art that inspires. All four artworks will be turned into covers of limited-edition journals available through Boozy.ph. Digital artist Eunpyon channeled her desire to express herself and her advocacy for gender equality in a Bright piece, titled The Spirit of a Filipino. Comic artist Hulyen wanted to exhibit human connection in her simple yet resonant piece for Absolut, titled 
(Sparkling Heart Emoji). Visual artist and muralist Kris Abrigo drew up New Perspectives, a colorful maximalist work that frames Absolut as something that can brighten people’s moods. Illustrator and painter Tokwa Penaflorida came up with Busilak (Purity), an ethereal and fairytale-like work that evokes inclusivity and the spirit and support of communities. To avail of the limited-edition journals, purchase special Absolut bundles for each journal on Boozy. For by Hulyen, one needs to purchase a 1 liter and a 700 ml bottle of Absolut Vodka (P1,619); for New Perspectives by Kris Abrigo, 1 liter of Absolut Vodka, and a 700 ml bottle of Absolut Mandrin (P1,848); for The Spirit of a Filipino by Eunpyon, 1 liter of Absolut Vodka, and 700 ml of Absolut Kurant (P1,848); and, for Busilak (Purity) by Tokwa Penaflorida, 1 liter of Absolut Vodka, and a 700 ml bottle of Absolut Citron (P1,848).
SaladStop!’s seasonal offerings
SALADSTOP! Has just come out with its seasonal specials — the Summer Fling Salad and the Sunny Slush smoothie. This season’s featured salad (P365) is made with romaine, kale, roast chicken, quinoa, carrots, sweet corn, grapes, and pomelo with a Sesame Lime dressing. Available until Apr. 26 only, one can order Summer Fling as a salad or wrap in all SaladStop! Stores. Beat the heat with the Sunny Slush (P160), a refreshing smoothie made with mango, lemon juice, honey, and chia seeds. It will be available in all SaladStop! stores from Mar. 22 to May 16 only. SaladStop! Has outlets at Central Square, the Power Plant Mall, Greenhills, Glorietta 2, Burgos Circle, Alabang Town Center, Salcedo Village, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, UP Town Center, Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma, Oakridge Business Park Cebu, TriNoma, and Ayala North Exchange.
BIGGS offers ready-to-cook meals
WITH all the lockdowns over the past year, many people — unable to eat out — have turned to delivery and to brands like BIGGS Ready-To-Cook meals. In operation for 38 years, BIGGS is a certified icon in the Bicol region, a restaurant known for comfort food, and a favorite for celebrations like birthdays, baptisms, and graduations. BIGGS is best known for its ribs, which is the best-seller among the brand’s 19 restaurants and now available in over 50 supermarkets in Bicol and Metro Manila. This signature dish has been available online for over 10 months now, and it’s proven to be a hit among home cooks of all levels. BIGGS Ready-To-Cook ribs can be cooked in four ways — grilled over charcoal, braised in a pan over a stove, baked in an oven, or just blasted in a microwave. Aside from the ribs, its other ready to cook meals include Honey-Glazed Chicken Ham, Pork Cordon Bleu, the Grill Party Pack (serves six to eight people, and includes six ribs and 12 sticks of Classic Pork Barbecue). The Ribs are available in a one-piece or a two-piece pack. BIGGS Ready-To-Cook meals are available in major supermarkets in Metro Manila and in nearby cities like Bulacan, Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite; and are also available directly from the BIGGS website, or through online marketplaces and retailers.
Authentic Taiwanese Milk Tea now open from franchising
MILK tea brand Frotea already has branches located throughout Luzon and Visayas, but it is open to more franchisers. Through the company’s full-service commissary, Frotea sources all its ingredients directly from Taiwan, this ensures that the standards of Frotea’s products remain consistently high, while maintaining a low standard retail price (SRP) for budget-conscious consumers. Frotea offers a selection of drinks, including Milk Teas (starts at P55), Fruit Teas (starts at P55), a Cheesecake Series (starts at P80), the Rock Salt & Cheese Series (starts at P70), and the Creampuff Series (starts at P80). An all-inclusive Frotea package is available for P350,000; this includes stall, supplies, and manpower. Visit Frotea online (https:///www.frotea.ph) to learn more.
