BCN by Las Flores opens in BGC
ENJOY the best of Barcelona in every bite at BCN by Las Flores’ new home in BGC. Another concept of the Bistro Group, this 70-seater restaurant, is a spin-off of the popular Las Flores restaurant. The menu ranges from appetizers like Mixto Platter, croquettes, salmon tartar, chipirones, and bite-sized starters called pintxos (morcilla & foie, octopus and confit potato; Patata Brava 2.0, and tuna tartare and avocado cone); paellas, including paella negra, duck, crab and uni, and seafood fideua; and rice dishes and pastas such as wild mushroom risotto, linguine vongole, spaghetti carbonara, and spaghetti nero. Seafood and meat take center stage with Bacallao with callos stew; Grilled tuna belly, Grilled tenderloin, Iberian pork ribs, USDA prime ribeye, Crispy pork belly, Roast chicken, and Grilled lamb chops. For lighter choices there are assorted soups and sandwiches, as well as Lunch Selections such as Callos stew with garlic rice, Seafood pasta with Green salad, Grilled tuna Loin, Grilled salmon or Roast chicken that comes with vegetables and garlic rice. Desserts like Torrija, Lemon Cheesecake and more provide a sweet ending to one’s meal. There is a Buy One Get One promo on selected best-selling items plus 40% off on all wines, cocktails, and beers. BCN by Las Flores is located at 9th avenue corner 26th street Ground Level, Tower 1, High Street Corporate Plaza, BGC, Taguig. Open for dine-in, take-out and delivery from noon to 11 p.m. For details follow them on Facebook and Instagram @bcnbylasflores. For inquiries, call 0927-118-1030.
Free pizza from Yellow Cab
ON Nov. 27, for every nine-inch pizza ordered, get another pizza of the same size and flavor for free as Yellow Cab celebrates the Black Friday Pizza Sale. Choose from Yellow Cab’s selection of Classic and Signature Edge-to-Edge Pizzas: Pepperoni, Hawaiian, BBQ Chicken, Manhattan Meatlovers, Roasted Garlic and Shrimp, Garden Special, #4 Cheese, and its newest flavor, Patty Melt. The offer is available from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 27 for dine-in, take-out, Curbside pick-up, and delivery. This deal is also available via GrabFood, foodpanda, and LalaFood.
Sofitel presents Spiral at Home
AMIDST global lockdowns, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila is starting to reopen, first with its flagship Spiral restaurant and its newest food concept, Spiral at Home. Executive Chef Bettina Arguelles showcases Spiral’s distinctive gastronomic flair with an elevated menu that includes truffle and foie gras wellington, cheese fondue, and a crudo bar to name a few, with guaranteed cleanliness and COVID-19 prevention standards in place at the restaurant. Spiral also presents a limited offering of Spiral at Home, a specially curated menu of the restaurant’s signature dishes from across its 21 dining ateliers. These specialties are offered in two sets: the Classic Christmas Dinner that includes a five to seven kilo whole roasted turkey or 3.5kg US prime rib with sides like sausage and herb bread stuffing, potato gratin, and French beans with pickled mustard seeds to name a few; and the Ilustrado Christmas Dinner that includes a cochinillo (four to six kilo roast suckling pig) and paella valenciana with patatas bravas, roast Mediterranean vegetables, and pan con tomate as sides. The Classic Christmas Dinner is available at P18,000 net while the Ilustrado Christmas Dinner is available at P22,000 nett. For a special pop to the celebration, an add-on of two bottles of champagne is available for P5,000 nett. Advanced payment and three days pre-order are required. In a unique twist to the traditional Christmas hamper, Spiral at Home presents the signature Spiral gastronomic experience in boxed sets and features a variety of regional favorites from France, India, Japan, South Korea, and USA. The first installment of specialties includes the Grazing Box, Indian Thali, Japanese Omakase Set, Japanese Chirashi Don Tray, Japanese Sushi Platter, Korean Signature Set, Churrasco, and Spiral Burger Royale Kit presented in a self-heating hotbox for a hassle-free food preparation this Yuletide season. Advanced payment and three days pre-order are required. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Sunset Bar makes an exclusive return with a poolside food truck festival. Live musical entertainment adds to the festive cheer. The food truck festival at Sunset Bar is set at P4,299 nett inclusive of free-flowing champagne, wine, beer, juices, and soda. For restaurant reservations, inquiries, and Spiral at Home orders, call F&B Reservations at 0917-309-2161, 8832-6988 or e-mail H6308-FB12@sofitel.com.
Grand Hyatt Manila offers Christmas High Tea
A FESTIVE Afternoon Tea for two is now available until Jan. 3, 2021, at the Grand Hyatt Manila at BGC for P1,800 net. Tuck into the Yuletide confections such as homemade Christmas cookies and Baked rice cake bibingka, plus savory pastries such as mushroom and truffle quiche and tartine sandwiches. Visit The Lounge from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. daily to enjoy High Tea while admiring the hotel’s Christmas Tree. The Lounge is also serving its version of halo-halo, made special with Christmas-inspired toppings for P450.
Noche Buena from Lemon Grass
LEMON Grass Food Services, Inc., a catering, canteen and fine dining business specializing in gourmet Filipino and intercontinental food, believes nothing can stop families from continuing the tradition of sharing stories and love through food on Christmas. Lemon Grass offers gourmet-style Filipino favorites such as beef caldereta and pork barbeque and best-sellers such as fish salad and roast beef that can be enjoyed by the whole family and delivered to loved ones around the metro and nearby cities. This way, food and stories can be shared with the family — via a video call that is. Other dishes available include fettuccine carbonara, shrimp picante and parmigiana pasta, and for dessert, cream puff, mango crepe and chocoflan cake. To learn more about the services and menu offered by Lemon Grass Food Services, check its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Christmas at Conrad Manila
OVER at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City, Conrad Manila’s Brasserie on 3 is offering Filipino end-of-the-year festivities focusing on fresh, sustainable and local ingredients. The Dec. 24 dinner is priced at P3,500 net per person. On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, lunch is priced at P2,900 net with dinner at P2,200 net. On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, dinner is priced at P 4,300 net. Meanwhile, China Blue by Jereme Leung welcomes the holidays with a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese recipes, feasts and specially curated set menus. China Blue by Jereme Leung’s Majestic Holiday Set Menus start at P4,200 net per person (minimum of five persons) and is available on Dec. 20 to 25 and Dec. 27 to Jan. 1. Share the joy of the season with gift boxes from Bru Coffee Bar brimming with savory gourmet items, homemade goodies, and its Signature Carey the Carabao plush doll. Choose from two Christmas Hampers: Holiday Sparkle at P3,800 net and Yuletide Cheer at P5,800 net. Bring home Conrad Manila’s designer Christy Ng bag complete with an ESPA Luxury Travel Kit and premium gift vouchers for rooms, dining and spa. The Gift of Luxury package is priced at P9,000 net. Conrad Manila also has special holiday gift vouchers and dining and spa credits available for purchase until Dec. 31. On New Year’s Eve, rock the year away with tunes and mixes at C Lounge. Sip and savor premium spirits and more, while indulging in the Manila Bay’s New Year’s festivities. Price starts at P1,100 net per person, inclusive of one drink. For “Joyful Christmas” inquiries or reservations, call 8833-9999 or e-mail conradmanila@conradhotels.com.
VegFest Pilipinas goes virtual
NO pandemic can stop the 5th VegFest Pilipinas — it is going virtual. With “Vegan is the better normal” as this year’s theme, VegFest Pilipinas V has prepared a fun and educational program. There will be guests from Sea Shepherd and Mercy for Animals which are both international organizations dedicated towards prevention to cruelty to animals, cooking classes from RG Cruz also known as Astig Vegan, Cassie from Veg on the Edge, stories of animal rescues and activism with guests from the vegan community. Every year, VegFest Pilipinas chooses beneficiaries to help raise awareness and to donate the proceeds of the festival. This year, it’s Go Palakas, a feeding and nurturing program for malnourished children, and Animal Rescue Family (ARF) and Pasay Pups, which are local animal rescue groups. VegFest Pilipinas V will be held on Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/VegFestPilipinas/.
New bulalo dishes from Max’s
CHRISTMAS is coming and Max’s Restaurant and Max’s Corner Bakery have new ways to make holiday feasts merrier. Introducing Calderetang Bulalo and Sizzling Bulalo, two new dishes that offer a fresh take on the sabaw (broth) staple, and Pinoy Holiday Cheesecakes — Puto Bumbong Cheesecake and Bibingka Cheesecake. Calderetang Bulalo is a fusion of two favorite Filipino dishes in one, made with a rich tomato-based beef shank stew with boiled vegetables and topped with melted cheese and sautéed peppers. Sizzling Bulalo features tender beef shank lathered in rich gravy, and sprinkled with crispy fried garlic. Starting at P549, these new dishes are available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. Meanwhile, Puto Bumbong Cheesecake from Max’s Corner Bakery is a special take on the classic Simbang Gabi kakanin made with glutinous rice flour with ube (purple yam) flavor, smooth and silky cheesecake, and topped with ube crumbs, coconut, and muscovado sugar. Bibingka Cheesecake is made with vanilla chiffon, cheesecake, and topped with salted egg slices. These Pinoy Holiday Cheesecakes are available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery starting at P289. Order via delivery.maxschicken.com or call the Metro Manila hotline at 888-79000. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant.
Swagat marks Diwali
AS restaurants in Metro Manila slowly open up with more relaxed quarantine regulations, lovers of authentic and homestyle Indian dishes can continue to savor the specialties of Swagat Indian Cuisine. Swagat recently celebrated Diwali, India’s biggest religious observance dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and is regarded as the “festival of lights.” The five-day festival symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. But with quarantine restrictions still in place, Swagat marked the event in a low-key fashion, minus the traditional colorful rangoli adornments, by feasting on authentic dishes. For appetizers, start off with bhel puri and sev puff rice, or methi aloo matter potatoes with green peas cooked with fenugreek leaves and flavored spices or palak pakora, deep fried spinach and spices rolled in chickpea flour. Must-try main dishes are malai kofta dish of cheese and vegetable patties cooked in butter sauce; chicken tikka, tender, skinless and boneless chicken marinated in ginger and garlic; fish palak, cooked in mild spices, with spinach and sauce; mutton masala, goat meat cooked in onions, tomatoes and spices. For rice, there is the flavored sangam biryani with lean, tender pieces of chicken, lamb, cooked in herbs and spices. Its variants are chicken, mutton, scrambled egg, and shrimp. Dishes are halal which make them ideal for Muslims. Sample the three combo meals for one, three and a family desi feast. Ice cream lovers can try Swagat’s pint-size and home-made kulfi. After celebrating 17 Diwali festivals and one pandemic in the country, owner Komal Khanchandani poses the same confident challenge on the restaurant’s day one: “Don’t pay if you are not satisfied with the food.” Swagat is at The Columns at Amorsolo St. cor. Arnaiz Ave., Legazpi Village, Makati City, and is only available for pick up or food delivery service. For more information, visit www.swagatph.com or follow Swagat Indian Cuisine on Facebook or Instagram.
Marks & Spencer’s food and wine Christmas gift sets
THIS season, Marks & Spencer (M&S) makes gift-giving easy with the launch of its food and wine gift sets. Choose from 14 food and wine bundles arranged in a metal tray, or six food and wine gift boxes in the signature M&S package. The selection offers several themed collections such as the Lavish Luxury gift set and Chocolate Indulgence. It also includes wine duo sets. M&S Food and Wine Gift Sets are now available in stores nationwide while M&S Food & Wine Gift Boxes are exclusive at https://marksandspencer.com.ph/collections/food-gift-boxes. For corporate orders, contact edhalili@rgoc.com.ph, cpyao@rgoc. com.ph or GMTayo@rgoc.com.ph. Orders can also be placed directly to any M&S store or its Viber Community at tinyurl.com/MNSPH-VC.
Christmas gift from Casa Nespresso
FILLED with a range of exclusive limited edition coffees and accessories, Casa Nespresso is arming coffee lovers with gifts to surprise loved ones. Nespresso’s Festive Variations Italia Limited Edition collection features two flavored coffees (Variations Italia Amaretti Flavor and Variations Italia Torta di Nocciole Flavor), one non-flavored coffee (Il Caffè), and a range of accessories. Nespresso has also launched a range of luxury coffee and homeware accessories. These include the 2020 Variations Italia advent calendar that allows Nespresso fans to enjoy a Nespresso coffee each day from Dec. 1 to 23 and a gift on the 24th; and the Lume Collection, designed by Milanese designer Federica Biasi, a twist on the traditional white porcelain coffee cup set that comes in four sizes, starting from Espresso to Gran Lungo. Nespresso is also offering two limited edition gifts that are only available to coffee lovers with select purchases: a Limited EditionTouch Travel Mug or Café Absolu scented candle. The exclusive Limited Edition coffees and accessories are available in Nespresso retail stores in Metro Manila located in newly opened boutique in The Podium, the flagship store in Power Plant Mall, and pop-up stores in Greenbelt 5, One BHS, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-La Mall, Robinson’s Magnolia, and TriNoma. Visit www.nespresso.ph, @nespresso.ph on Instagram, or @nespresso.phl on Facebook for more details.
Oreo’s Christmas cookies
OREO is sweetening the world’s longest Christmas celebration by unveiling limited-edition Oreo holiday products. There are holiday-inspired Oreo tin cans in 228g and 342g variants, filled with an assortment of Oreo favorites: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and red velvet cookies. Then there is the Oreo Gifting Box, featuring two Oreo slugs and a money box with four different designs to choose from. With the Gifting Box, recipients can drop their wishes for next year into the money box, save their money in it, and make their wishes materialize through the money they saved. The limited-edition Oreo holiday products will be available in the Philippines in all leading physical and e-commerce stores nationwide (bit.ly/ShopOreoPH) from November until December until supplies last.
Doña Elena Olive Oil gets a new look
DOÑA Elena, the country’s no. 1 olive oil, has a new olive oil bottle that’s recognizable for patrons and accommodating for first-time users. Made with premium-quality olives directly sourced and harvested from the farms of Andalucia in Spain, Doña Elena Olive Oil has been dominating the market for a full decade now. Doña Elena Olive Oil’s new bottle design is a stand-out for its elegant and functional design. The new packaging includes two significant, fine engravings on the bottle that are exclusively Doña Elena: the Doña Elena insignia near the top, and the olive fruit near the base. Another detail is the usage recommendation per variant that is printed on the label, making it easier to choose the right olive oil for your cooking needs. Doña Elena’s offerings are rich in good fats and oxidants through the combination of two types of olives, hojiblanca and picual. Each bottle contains 80% monounsaturated oleic acids, which is proven to regulate insulin and support weight management according to research. The heart-friendly fat is also known for supporting the health of the heart and enhancing brain function. Doña Elena Olive Oil comes loaded with high levels of antioxidants like polyphenols and is packed with vitamins E, K, and A that helps lower bad cholesterols. Doña Elena Olive Oil comes in three variants: Extra Virgin for dips and salad dressing, Pure Olive Oil for pasta and everyday cooking, and Pomace for roasting and frying. The three variants are conveniently available in 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 liter, and 5 liter PET bottle sizes so you have all the options for every purpose and need. Doña Elena Olive Oil is available in all groceries and supermarkets nationwide. Buy online beginning Nov. 20 at www.AceMarket.ph.
Mortlach comes to the Philippines
USED as the cornerstone of the 20th Century’s most iconic blends, Mortlach was the best kept secret of the world of whisky for 70 years. This single malt whisky defied the taste conventions defined by its origin region. Hailing from Scotland’s Speyside region, one that is known to produce whiskies with a light-bodied taste profile, Mortlach earned its reputation as the “Beast of Dufftown” because of its distinct and thick character spirit. Mortlach’s flavors are the result of an enigmatic distillation process called “The Way,” drilled down and perfected to a science. Mortlach is distilled exactly 2.81 times — 0.81 times more than its Scotch tradition. A closely guarded secret handed down through generations of Mortlach distillers, this process unleashes the most primal essence of Scottish water and malt, creating a beastly whisky. Its range of single malts — Mortlach 12, Mortlach 16, and Mortlach 20 — present full-bodied flavors without the big smoke. Mortlach 12 Years Old is available for P4,045 SRP, Mortlach 16 Years Old at P7,635 SRP, and Mortlach 20 Years Old at P16,960 SRP.
