Have you ever tried Sampinit Berry? Now is your chance to try this local berry grown at the foot of the mountains of Mount Cristobal in Laguna and Mount Banahaw in Quezon.
For summer (until the crops last), local ice cream shop Sebastian’s Ice Cream is featuring the raspberry-lookalike Sampinit in the spotlight with their collection. Flavor and texture-wise, it is less tart than locally grown strawberries and has small seeds that have a crunch exterior. These berries are extremely seasonal with their availability only from January to April, so you better have a taste while you can.
Sampinit Berry Ice Cream Collection
The Sampinit Season is a dairy-based ice cream made with fresh sampinit berries. It reminds me so much of Sebastian’s strawberry flavor but has a much lighter and delicately tart taste, and is garnished with more whole Sampinit berries to munch on. If you’re looking for something dairy-free and vegan-friendly, try the Sampinit Sorbet which is a fruit sorbet made with fresh sampinit berries, filtered water, cane sugar, and a bit of glucose for texture. Both are priced at P155 per scoop and P465 per pint.
Sampinit SeasonSampinit SorbetSampinit Ice Pops
Lastly, the perfect treat for this Manila heat is the Sampinit Ice Pops which is a simple and purest way to enjoy the natural flavor of the sampinit. “I want to give as many people as possible the chance to experience this wonderful ingredient so this ice pop is our way of doing so,” shares Ian Carandang, owner and head sorbetero at Sebastian’s Ice Cream. It is priced at P75 per piece.
The Samipinit Collection is available in scoops at Sebastian’s Ice Cream’s branch in Podium and in pints at sebastiansicecream.com.
When you hear Bicol, you instantly think it’s a place where almost all people love food that are spicy, laced with coconut milk, or both. While it’s almost true, there’s more to this region than just that. For your first stop, you might want to visit the charming Naga City where cultural attractions like old churches from the Spanish era and the beautiful Mt. Isarog are found.
After you’re done with your adventure in and around the pilgrimage city, it’s time to check out the many food offerings you can devour. From specialty dishes in restaurants to the bustling streets where you can sample a wide variety of eats, food is what makes a trip to Naga City worthwhile. There are plenty of must-try restaurants but in this list, we’re highlighting popular eats and treats in the local food scene that will make your trip even memorable:
Kinalas
It would be a sin if you miss out on Kinalas which is Naga City’s version of mami. It is a bowl of noodles in flavorful broth topped with strips of beef or pork meat, gravy made out of brain, and calamansi on the side. If you prefer something less daring, get the Log-Log instead which is everything you can ask for in a kinalas without the meat.
Puto Bukayo
Other provinces in the Philippines have this too, but Naga’s Puto Bukayo is a great merienda option while you’re there. It is made of rice flour, shredded coconut, and muscovado, steamed for a bit and wrapped in fragrant banana leaves before ready to be eaten.
Toasted Siopao
Most people grew up with the classic siopao that has a fluffy white bun, but Naga City has its very own toasted siopao. It has a beautiful toasted bread that’s thicker and has a different texture compared to the steamed one. Bite into it and get a taste of the juicy meatballs and slices of hard boiled egg!
We’re certain you’ve never tasted Halo-Halo like this one before. One look, you would notice it’s the usual Filipino dessert with all the works — sweetened saba, langka, ube, leche flan, nata de coco, kaong, sago, leche flan, and evaporated milk. What makes this extra special is the cheese that’s shredded on top, and a unique way they prepare the ice. It’s fluffy, fine, and almost melts in your mouth!
Bicol Express
Some know Bicol Express as the actual dish that’s served with warm rice, but Bicolanos know it as a side dish to fried dishes, grilled fares, and hearty soups. Add as much chilies you like for the ultimate experience!
Sure, you’ve already had Bicol Express, but have you tried Gulay na Santol the Bicolano way? Gulay na Santol or Sinantolan as what locals call it is made with grated santol rinds, aromatics, siling haba, gata, and dinailan which is a kind of shrimp paste that has a powerful taste and smell. This goes well with anything grilled or your favorite Filipino soup like Bulalo and Sinigang.
Other side dishes worth checking out: Tinumtuman or Gulay na Lambo, Laing, Tabagwang
Pinangat
Laing is a popular Bicolano side dish, but have you tried Pinangat? This one is a mix of taro leaves, river shrimps, and young coconut simmered in mildly spicy coconut milk wrapped in gabi leaves.
Binutong
If you’re a fan of anything kakanin, Binutong will be a new addition to your favorites. This Bicol delicacy is made with glutinous rice and coconut cream wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed to cook. It may sound simple but the sweet flavor and chewy texture is just delectable! Dust it off with some brown sugar and pair it with your favorite coffee.
Who can resist ice cream cakes, especially during this scorching season? Two of the most beloved desserts fused together not only to satisfy our sweet tooth, but also to help us beat the summer heat. Of course, we can’t say no to that! If you’re currently craving this cool confection, we’ve got you covered. Below are some shops in the metro where you can order ice cream cakes and other cool cakes in Metro Manila!
Bellefleur by Beatrix currently has three frozen cake mainstays that celebrate and elevate beloved flavors in the Philippines: the Frozen Ube Brazo, Strawberry Tres Leches, and the Mango Tres Leches. In addition to this lineup, the brand has also just announced their limited edition cake for this summer, the Frozen Avocado Brazo.
Order here Location: (outside) Unimart Greenhills, Club Filipino Ave., San Juan
Carmen’s Best has been around since 2009, serving premium ice cream inspired by both local and international flavors. More recently, the brand has also expanded its menu by adding ice cream cakes, namely their Chocolate Overload Ice Cream Cake, Salted Caramel Macchiato Ice Cream Cake, and Neopolitan Ice Cream Cake.
Cold Stone Creamery is another spot to seek for your ice cream cake cravings. Aside from their premium ice cream that’s available in many flavors and limitless combinations, the brand also currently offers three ice cream cake flavors: Cookies and Cream, Cookies and Cream Extreme, and Midnight Delight.
The Creamery Catering has so much to offer from savory dishes to delectable desserts. Among these sweets are their ice cream cakes available in flavors such as Avocado Sans Rival, Choco Banoffee, Eskimo CHoco Decadence, and Banana Langka Turon to name a few.
Dairy Queen has always been a popular source of sweet, frozen treats to satisfy one’s cravings. Adding more popularity to the brand is their Blizzard ice cream which can be flipped without falling from the cup. The Blizzard has also been infused in their ice cream cakes, taking the delightful dessert to the next level!
Ice Cake Co. is a humble brand that brings delightful ice cream cakes to those who wish it. Some of the flavors you can order from them are the Cookie Crumble ice cream cake, Oreo ice cream cake, and the Mango Delight ice cream cake.
A homegrown and handcrafted ice cream brand, Papa Diddi’s is inspired by how the founder grew up enjoying the ice cream that his lawyer father would often make for him. Today, the ice cream brand is also offering ice cream cakes alongside their ice cream selections, with flavors such as the Brazo de Mercedes, Ube Brazo de Mercedes, and Choco Lovin’.
Sebastian’s Ice Cream has been known for serving a wide array of frozen treats and adding interesting spins to its flavors. Of course, the brand also offers a delightful selection of ice cream cakes. Currently, their dreamy lineup includes the Dark Chocolate Decadence ice cream cake, Rainbow ice cream cake, and the Birthday ice cream cake.
Small food businesses have certainly taken the local food scene by storm. You’ve seen them everywhere – from milk tea shops with their adventurous flavors to creative burger concepts you’ve never seen before. These businesses, however, must not be underestimated for their size as the quality of their offers will have you thinking hindi pa sila sikat, pero ang sarap. Beyond these, small businesses hold a special spark to them as they come from our own communities, and are a testament to how everyone has the potential to share their offerings to a large audience.
Now, to help more consumers discover the unique and rewarding flavors these merchants can offer, everyday superapp Grab has launched Indie Eats, a program aiming to help merchant-partners amplify their presence on GrabFood and bring their offerings to the spotlight!
Inde Eats: Eats that are worth the try
Indie Eats hosts a full roster of small and local merchant-partners that are perfect for every craving. Whether you’re looking for refreshing mango coolers to beat the heat from Mango Series, the hearty and comforting taste of lugaw from Lugaw ni Pinggoy, or a quick bite of your favorite pastries from Panaderia Pantoja, Grab has you covered with its range of merchant-partners!
Much like how Indie Eats puts the focus on everything small, local, and undiscovered, leading the call to support these merchant-partners is the never-before-seen, undiscovered tandem of Indie Eats ambassadors Erwan Heussaff and Sassa Gurl! In a video filled with entertaining and burning questions while the two enjoy satisfying bites here and there from the various Indie Eats merchants, don’t miss out on their ultimate kwentuhan-slash-food trip journey!
Grab’s continuous commitment to support their merchant-partners
With Indie Eats, Grab hopes to provide assistance to their vast community of small and local merchant-partners. Those interested to onboard can partake in Grab’s upskilling seminars, providing training in building their brand and menu. This ensures that merchant-partners are able to improve their brand every step of the way. All in all, the program also aims to inspire its merchant-partners to become the best brands they can be, and be on their way to exciting more consumers with their offerings.
“At Grab, we are always ready to provide support to our merchant-partners to ensure they are able to meet success and have a rewarding experience on our platform; in particular, small food businesses hold a lot of potential not just in Grab but in our local food industry as a whole. Indie Eats is just one of the many ways we want to help them in being discovered by more Filipinos, and reach success with us,” says Martin Luchangco, Head of Merchants and Partnerships.
Champion local and quality undiscovered gems today with GrabFood Indie Eats! See the wide range of small businesses you can support through the Indie Eats tile on GrabFood, and be on the lookout for merchants with the Indie Eats badge! For more information, be sure to follow Grab on Facebook and Instagram.
Burger King® Philippines just announced the launch of Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken, which offers the same mouthwatering experience as its best-selling original X-tra Long Chicken but without the meat!
After the successful launch of the Plant-Based Whopperin 2020, Burger King® Philippines extends its plant-based menu options by mirroring the iconic and unmatched Burger King® taste that guests crave for.
Currently available in all BK® stores within Luzon and will soon be available nationwide by end of March, the Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken consists of a crispy 6-inch plant-based patty developed by The Vegetarian Butcher, topped with fresh lettuce, creamy plant-based mayonnaise, on soft sesame seed buns. This soon-to-be iconic snack mirrors Filipinos’ favorite X-tra Long Chicken—it looks and tastes like chicken, it is crispy on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside to recreate the same experience, but in a way that loves the planet back.
The Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken is BK brand’s treat for the growing population of Filipino eaters venturing into plant-based alternatives. Moreover, with its partnership with The Vegetarian Butcher, it hopes to bring the plant-based chicken closer to meat lovers, flexitarians, and anyone who loves delicious burgers.
“We are very proud to introduce the Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken and expand our plant-based range with this new icon to our menu,” said Joey Dominguez, General Manager of Burger King® Philippines. “The introduction of the Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken in the Philippines is a response to the demand from guests who are asking for a variety of plant-based options without compromising on taste. We are confident that Filipinos will love our follow-up to the Plant-Based Whopper.”
Burger King® Philippines invites Filipinos to get their hands on the new and delicious Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken, that is 100% plant-based, 0% meat, today. Order now via dine-in, take-out, or delivery (BK App, BKDelivery.com.ph, Messenger, #2-22-22, Grabfood, and Foodpanda) because at Burger King®, #PlantBasedJustGotXtra.
The past few years have highlighted the importance of our connection with friends and loved ones; they have made our lives so much brighter and easier. Mints brand Tic Tac gives us a unique and special way to send love and good vibes to our lives with its newest campaign “Good MoMints with Tic Tac Gentle Vibes,” which was launched via a fun online event last Saturday, March 19.
Tic Tac Gentle Vibes
The Tic Tac Gentle Vibes livestream event was hosted by Sarah Carlos and featured singer-actress Julie Anne SanJose, actor-director Fifth Solomon, and YouTuber Joselle Alandy.
“The real goal of the campaign is to help us connect with our loved ones, especially at this time of the pandemic. Nakakakilig naman kasi talaga when we receive unexpected gifts from our loved ones, or even words of affirmation that we’re doing great and we’re appreciated. Di ba, it’s one of the five love languages!” Sarah said.
The guests demonstrated how connecting with friends and loved ones can make life gentler and happier while playing games with each other. Julie, Fifth, and Joselle participated in the Summer Vibes Challenge with Tic Tac Gentle Vibes, where they were asked to guess items commonly associated with summer beach essentials such as buko juice, swimsuit, sunglasses, beach volleyball, and Tic Tac Fresh Mints.
In the “Guess the MoMints” game, the guests, together with host Sarah, guessed gentle messages from Tic Tac as one player mouths it out with his or her microphone off. The Tic Tac Gentle Messages such as “There’s always a positive side”, “You are my hero”, “The best moments are with you” and even the playful pun “You are always in my mint” prove that simple words of affirmation and love can mean the world to those we send it to.
“Natouch ako dun,” Fifth quipped.
“I think this campaign is really perfect kasi yun talaga yung kailangan natin ngayon, to basically just spend good vibes to everyone no matter how challenging yung mga pinagdadaanan natin,” Julie Anne said.
She added, “Marami tayong mga happenings na out of our control. But we do have control over how we see things and kung paano natin idedeal yung mga bagay na yun and how to take it possible.”
How to Join the Tic Tac Promo
You too can send personalized Gentle Vibes messages using the Tic Tac Gentle Messenger—and win amazing prizes from doing so!
Tic Tac is giving away four 3 days-2 nights all-inclusive trip for two to El Nido, Palawan, each worth 85,000 PHP (2 winners per 4-week period), as well as eight (1 weekly winner) Apple iPhone 13 units, and 320 (40 winners per week) 1000 PHP Shopee vouchers every week from March 1 to April 24, 2022.
To join, purchase Tic Tac Orange or Tic Tac Mint Flavored GV Packs. Visit Tictac.com and send gentle vibes through the Tic Tac Gentle Messenger, where you can compose #TTGV messages and create cute, personalized animation of Tic Tac mints.
Send your Gentle Vibes messages to your loved ones and friends. Complete your entry by typing in your personal details and the unique code that can be found in your Tic Tac GV Packs.
Post your Gentle Messenger messages on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #TTGV to make your loved ones’ day even more special.
Satisfy your cravings for native Kapampangan fare, as Rockwell brings together Pampanga’s finest homegrown chefs and culinary curators through Kanyaman Na! The Pampanga Food Festivalfrom March 26 to 27, at The Park at Nepo Center.
Being the country’s culinary capital, Pampanga has bred natural masters in gastronomy who have become renowned for their craft. Epicures can look forward to Kanyaman’s line-up of chefs and their signature dishes: Chef Howard Dizon’s Filipino fare, Chef Judy Uson’s delectable pastries and cakes, Chef Pons Garcia’s no-fuss Kapampangan dishes, as well as Chef Cherry Passion-Tan’s native spread. Apart from these chefs’ offerings, a wide selection of food concessionaires add flavor to the festivities and will have meals, desserts, and drinks ready to indulge in. The Park at Nepo Center likewise serves as an ideal location for this gourmet gathering, for guests to enjoy an al fresco dining experience.
As Rockwell makes its entry into the Central Luzon region through Rockwell Center Nepo, Angeles, so too will more distinct lifestyle offerings such as these take place. Spanning 4.5-hectares, the development is set to have three mid-rise residential buildings—the first of which, The Manansala, will turnover in 2025—and the first Power Plant Mall outside of Metro Manila. This delivers the signature experiences Rockwell has become known for, curated especially for Kapampangan’s discerning palates.
Find delight and dine in at Kanyaman Na! The Pampanga Food Festival! The festival runs through March 26 to 27 from 3PM to 8PM, at The Park at Nepo Center in Angeles City, Pampanga. For more information, please follow Rockwell Center Nepo on Facebook and Instagram.
Hilton Manila’s celebrated Kusina Sea Kitchens restaurant recently reopened its buffet selection to diners with an innovative take on Filipino, Western and Asian cuisine served ‘dampa-style’ for a worry-free dining experience.
“We look forward to welcoming our patrons with worry-free, gourmet dining experiences that they can now truly enjoy with their loved ones—both young and old,” shares Iulai Sau, hotel Director of Operations, adding, “our Executive Sous Chef Lord Bayaban and his culinary team has put together a marvelous buffet selection, including those at the Dampa station where guests simply point and choose what they would like to enjoy and how it will be prepared, ‘turo-turo’ style.”
Kusina, famed for its rich selection of Filipino and International dishes, indulges diners with a variety of fresh and sustainably sourced seafood and premium meat options that are cooked a la minute to the guest’s liking at its Dampa station. Specially prepared on a grill of lava rocks, guest are invited to feast on seasonal favorites such as tiger prawns, shellfish, sausages and cured meats, to name a few.
The journey of flavors continues with the famed ‘Samalamig’ station where homemade Filipino refreshments such as Sago’t gulaman, Buko pandan and even authentic local desserts Sorbetes and the colorful Halo-halo are served. From there, guests may ‘hop on over’ to the Japanese station serving succulent Sashimi and Sushi, the fan-favorite Carvery with U.S. beef on premium nights, pork and Chinese items on offer, mouth-watering Laksa or Beef Pho at the Noodlesstation, fresh and crisp salad choices and fruit slices from the Sustainable garden and playfully vibrant and decadent sweets at the Dessert station among other well-curated culinary ensembles.
The Kusina “Market Place” dinner buffet is available Mondays to Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Php 2,480 nett per person. On Fridays to Sundays patrons may indulge in melt-in-your-mouth, all-you-can-eat lobsters prepared a la minute, among others, with Kusina’s premium “Lobster Nights 2.0,” with prices starting at Php 2,680. The restaurant is also open for lunch, serving a la carte menu on weekdays and buffet on weekends, from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
As an added treat, guests who book their next reservation through the Resorts World Manila mobile app may enjoy 3+1 on Kusina’s lunch and dinner buffet or at the hotel’s Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise’s Yum Cha offering until June 30, 2022. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-137950 Series of 2022.
Hilton Manila observes stringent health and safety measures in line with local government guidelines and Hilton’s own CleanStay initiative and holds the Department of Tourism “Safety Seal”.
For inquiries or reservations, please call +632 7239 7788 or +63 917 826 6442, or message us on Facebook through m.me/hiltonmanila.
This week, Starbucks just released new seasonal beverages and merchandise that will surely tickle the fancy of those who love the dreamy pastel pink and green aesthetic. Two new beverages plus a Philippine exclusive collection of drinking vessels are now up for grabs this spring.
Pretty in Pink and Green
Available until April 18, 2022 are the new Starbucks® Strawberry Dream Cream Frappuccino and Starbucks® Strawberry Dream Pure Matcha Latte. The new Frappuccino in a heavenly pink color starts off with a cotton-like layer of Vanilla Cream Frappuccino which slowly reveals a sweet strawberry flavored Strawberry Dream experience. It is topped with pastel color sprinkles for that final whimsical touch perfect to add to your Instagram feed.
The second drink is given a matcha twist to the Strawberry Dream experience. At first sip, you will enjoy a sweet creamy layer of strawberry foam. It is then followed by the highest quality pure matcha of Starbucks for a relaxing experience that embodies the beautiful scenery of Spring.
And lastly, you can take home the dreamy pink and green experience with the new Pink Green Series that was launched on March 22. This Philippine exclusive collection features Pink Green cups, tumblers, mugs, and even color-changing reusable cups for your hot and cold drinks! The collection is inspired by a minimalist design in eyecatching pink green gradient colors.
The new Starbucks® Strawberry Dream Cream Frappuccino and Starbucks® Strawberry Dream Pure Matcha Latte are now available in stores until April 18, 2022. The Pink Green Collection is now available in all Starbucks stores and online via Lazada and Shopee.
Celebrating its first birthday this month, Bistro Delivers is delighted to announce a special treat to customers!
It’s their 30% OFF promotion plus FREE delivery valid for both delivery and pick up transactions with a minimum spend requirement of P1,500. Just use promo code BDELTURNS1 at checkout. The offer is valid from March 25 to March 31.
Bistro Delivers app and website house all 18 Bistro Group restaurant brands, offering on-demand delivery and take-out options. It bridges decades of the company’s food and operational expertise with the convenience of today’s technology.
Order in and binge on your favorite dishes – from pastas, burgers, ribs and wings to sushi, dimsum and paellas. There are so many choices to please every palate and food craving from Bistro’s portfolio of international and homegrown brands.
Ordering on the Bistro Delivers app and website is fast and easy! It only takes 4 simple steps, and soon, your favorites will be delivered right to your doorstep. Download now http://onelink.to/25zuvt and check www.bistrodelivers.ph.
