I was able to try the famous fully loaded Batangas lomi, a type of noodle soup dish that makes use of thick egg noodles.

After our weekday hike at Mt. Maculot, we went to G2B Lomi House and ordered a big bowl of lomi for P220 good for 4 - 5 persons. They served it hot and overloaded with toppings.

The place is like a typical Filipino non-airconditioned carenderia / eatery. They have two branches now in Cuenca, Batangas. Just ask the tricycle driver to drop you off to any of the store (see google maps below)

If you're planning to visit La Union during summer (or even rainy days) for quick getaway or surfing lessons, don't forget to try these food places in San Juan.

#ElyuEats


Dal-luyon Café

Price Range:
P100-P300

I tried their all-day breakfast Vigan Longganisa with egg. They also have other local flavors like Binagoongang Bagnet, Shirmp and Liempo. At the entrance, you can see the nipa hut inspired villas.

Location:
The café is located on the left side of the compound with trees inside (so it's like a tree house). You can see different paintings hanging around. The place is very artsy and instagrammable.


Layag

Price Range:
P130-P350

Layag is a grill and kilawin place. If don't like kilawin, you can go for grilled food or vice versa. It is located at the Northwest Philippines food stop. During our stay, we tried the grilled shrimp, liempo and pecho. You can choose from their own special sweet to spicy sauces.

Location:
Beach front and very comfy. IG-worthy as well.


Beach Bum Food Park

Price Range:
P100-P350

The newest foodpark in San Juan, Beach Bum offers various food selections like Pinoy, Korean and Japanese dishes. During our visit, we were craving for pinoy ihaw-ihaw.

Location:
You can find it easily because it's located along McArthur Hi-way.

El Union Coffee

Price Range:
P120-P200

The famous local coffee in La Union for their signature espresso blend.

Location:
The place is located at the Greast Northwest Travel Stop. We tried their iced and cold brew coffee.


Kahuna Restaurant

Price Range:
P150-P500

You can find this restaurant inside Kahuna Beach Resort. You can enjoy the sunset while enjoying your local pinoy favorites because it's located right infront of the beach. Please order their Pakbet! The best pakbet in town!

Location:
Kahuna Beach Resort along McArthur Hi-way

Makai Bowls

Price Range:

P120-P280

Famous for their smoothie bowls and fresh juices. You can choose from smoothie bowls, popsicles, chia bowls, fresh shakes and pressed juices. We tried their best seller: Surfer's Bowl for only P280 (good for 2-3pax)

Flotsam & Jetsam

Price Range:
P120-P350

A beahhfront hostel with an instagrammable garden bar and magical vibe perfect for millennials. They offer rice meals, cocktails, and finger foods. You must try their Onion Rings and Baby Squids!


Tuna Station

Price Range:
P150-P250

Chilax vibe or typical barkadahan place. They have rice meals and side orders for pulutan. The place is located at Chillin' Hotel along McArthur Highway.

Cheers!

I was invited to the exclusive launch of the first-ever concept store of Spain’s largest and oldest brandy company in the Philippines, Fundador. I’m not alcoholic but this new and exciting concept is worth a try!

Fundador Café is located at the first level of Venice Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill. It offers a wide range of unique food and beverage concoctions mixed with brandy and Sherry wines. Basically, their menu from coffee to cupcakes are infused with brandy and wines. Sounds fascinating right?

Let’s start with their cupcakes. Their four heavenly cupcake variations contain Harveys Bristol Cream, which adds clean, fresh and fruity, with spicy overtones, and a velvety smoothness flavor. The Sherry Butter Cupcake, Banana Cupcake, Chocolate Cupcake, and Vanilla Butter Cupcake are also topped with Harveys Dark Chocolate Ganache for the extra kick of alcohol.

Take note that the Harveys Bristol Cream is a sherry wine produced in Jerez, Spain that proudly enjoys the distinction of being the #1 sherry in the world. If you’d like the wine over cupcake, Harveys Sherry Wine bottles are also sold exclusively at this café. I got Harveys and  Fundador Double Light in case of emergency. Haha!

For hot drinks, on the other hand, are uniquely mixed with different Fundador brand.

It has the (1) Fundador Café Latte, which has premium espresso combined with Fundador Gold Reserve and the classic Fundador Solera; (2) Café Exclusivo, which has an exquisite blend of Fundador Exclusivo and the finest coffee beans to give drinkers the richness of coffee with an aroma of the finest brandy; and (3) Double Salted Caramel, which is mixed with Fundador Double Light. These three hot drinks cost Php125.00 each.

Looking for cold choices? Fundador Café offers (4) Light Iced Tea mixed with a shot of Fundador Light perfect for the summer season; (5) Café Solera, which is a premium roast coffee served with ice and a shot of Fundador Solera; and (6) Harveys Mojito, which has the sweet taste of lemon and mint mixed with Harveys. Cold drinks cost Php95.00 each.

Those who would like to opt for blended drinks can choose from among the (7) Orange Passion, a sweet soda based drink blended with Harveys Bristol Cream for only Php95.00; (8) Fundador Frappe, an ice swirl of espresso infused with Fundador Gold Reserve and Fundador Solera for only P125.00; and (9) Matcha Light, a sweet, creamy vanilla blend of your favorite matcha flavor fused with smooth Fundador Light for an extra kick for only P150.00. 

Lastly, the fun part about Fundador Café is it has Gelato mixed with Harveys Bristol Cream. During the event, I tried their Dulce De Leche and it was really good! It’s still a normal gelato with a subtle kick in your taste buds. One scoop costs P95.00 only.

The store flaunts a balanced mix of classic and modern interior design, with a vibrant wooden finish embracing the entire space to evoke an authentic touch of Spanish influences. The centerpiece, meanwhile, showcases the original Fundador barrel, the signature icon shipped directly from Jerez, Spain. You can take a photo on the barrel with your name.

Moreover, customers will be welcomed by a wide-array of Fundador selections, including the exclusive Harveys wines that are sold only at the store, along with other branded merchandise, like t-shirts, bags, umbrellas, glasses, caps, key chains, and others.

So if you’re looking for your coffee and alcohol fix in one location, Fundador Café is the answer.

---

Fundador Café

Lower Level, Venice Grand Canal Mall

McKinley Hills, Taguig City

Operating Hours: 11:00am - 11:00pm

Menu:

Cheers!

Have you ever heard the word ‘pulses’?

It’s not the one the doctor is using when checking your heart but it’s something your mouth would definitely love to eat.

Honestly, I never knew what pulses were until one night when I attended an event hosted by no less than Mr. Philip Goldberg, the US Ambassador to the Philippines, I get to know more about these little creatures.

Last April 19, Mr Goldberg presented several dishes and ways on how ‘pulses’ will be beneficial to our body. During the event, Mr Goldberg also highlighted that this year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has formally declared that 2016 is the "International Year of Pulses." This is part of the United Nation’s global mission to get us to eat more pulses.

...but wait, what the heck is a pulse?

To answer this question, I gathered the Five FAQs about ‘Pulses’:

1. What are pulses?
In technical terms, they’re the dry, edible seeds of plants in the legume family. In understandable terms, they’re a category of superfoods that includes chickpeas, lentils, dry peas, and bean varieties. They’re also incredibly healthy, affordable, sustainable and tasty.

2. What are some examples of pulses?
According to The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, some of the most widely consumed types of pulses include dried grain legumes like kidney beans, navy, faba beans, chickpeas, dried or split peas, mung beans, cowpeas, black-eyed peas, and several varieties of lentils. 

3. Why are pulses so nutritious?
Pulses are packed with nutrients, and are a fantastic source of protein, which is particularly important for human health. Pulses are made up of about 20-25 percent of protein by weight, which is double the protein content of wheat and triple that of rice. When eaten together with cereals, the protein quality in the diet is significantly improved and a complete protein is formed.

Pulses have a low fat content and contain zero cholesterol. The Glycaemic Index (an indicator of the effect on blood sugar) is also low in pulses, and they are a significant source of dietary fibre. Since they do not contain gluten, they are an ideal food for celiac patients. Additionally, pulses are rich in minerals (iron*, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc) and B-vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, and folate) all of which play a vital role in health.



4. Why are they considered superfood?
Pulses are nutritional powerhouses, loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They’ve also been shown to lower the risk of heart diseases and diabetes, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and help with weight loss. Gluten-free and vegetarian, they contain twice the protein of quinoa.

Black beans contain 1.5 times the amount of iron as flank steak, and chickpeas have three times the folate (as essential B vitamin that helps prevent neutral tube birth defects) as kale, Plus, pulses are high in fiber – linked to weight loss and feeling fuller – and loaded with more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranate juice. In fact, they’re so nutrient-dense that nutritionists actually consider them both a protein and a vegetable at once.


5. How good do they actually taste?

Pulses can be prepared countless ways and are delicious as well as nutritious, which is why many of the country’s top chefs have begun including them in recipes from smoothies and ice cream to main dishes.

You can check this link https://pulsepledge.com/pulse-recipes/ for more easy to prepare ‘pulses’ dishes.

 



Do you want to commit to eat pulses once a week for 10 weeks and join a global food movement?


Take the Pulse Pledge here.



Happy Year of the Pulse! :)

Before the year ends, we decided to discover new food places in Sucat Paranaque. One of our discoveries is the Bańh Phó Vietnamese Kitchen and Cafe.

Since we don't have any idea about Vietnam and their culture, we take the risk and try this newly-opened restaurant located at Ground Floor of Park and Shop Center in Sucat Road.

The place is quite small. I guess it can accommodate up to 20pax. Medyo awkward lang dahil the space is too tight para mag-ingay kami ni Atria. Medyo nakakahiya sa mga katabi. Haha

So here's my quick review of  Bańh Phó Vietnamese Kitchen and Cafe: