Experience Madrid Fusion Manila at SM Supermalls with Fusion Flavors

Last year, the Philippines successfully hosted the first ever Madrid Fusion exhibition to be staged outside of Spain. Madrid Fusion Manila is back for its second year, and with the support of SM Supermalls, this gastronomic event has now transformed into a nationwide celebration of Filipino and Spanish flavors.

Madrid Fusion Manila 2016
Madrid Fusion Manila 2016

Madrid Fusion Manila is back this year to celebrate the shared 300-year history between Spain and the Philippines with the theme, “The Manila Galleon: East Meets West” from April 7-9, 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. The 3-day culinary event will bring together renowned chefs from Europe and Asia to showcase their cooking prowess in a Gastronomy Congress. A simultaneous exhibition of fine food, gourmet products, new ingredients and cooking technology will also happen at the Madrid Fusion Manila Trade Expo, so you can expect that it’s going to be a fun and food-filled weekend for your family and friends.

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Dencio’s Bar and Grill: Chillax Inuman Spot For The Barkada

There’s no better way to blow off some steam after a hard day’s work than chillaxing with your barkada over good food and strong booze. That is exactly what we did when Dencio’s Bar and Grill invited me and my friends to visit their Eastwood branch to try their bestsellers and latest food and beverage offerings!

Facade Dencios Bar and Grill Restaurant Eastwood Taguig City

Dencio’s at Eastwood Citywalk has a simple yet inviting façade that attracts big groups of friends or officemates, who are out for a few rounds of drinks. But that doesn’t mean you can’t drop by just to have lunch or dinner because, after all, do they have a sumptuous line of dishes and drinks that greatly appeal to the Filipino appetite.

Dining Area of Dencios Bar and Grill Restaurant Eastwood Libis Taguig

The interior is very straightforward with its harmonious combination of wooden furniture with natural design pieces, giving it a comfortable and very Pinoy atmosphere. The al fresco dining area is ideal for groups with smokers. For non-smokers like me, they have two spacious air-conditioned rooms on the second floor, which can also be booked for private events.

 

Dencio’s Bar and Grill

Now onto our drinks! We were quite parched when we arrived at Dencio’s, so we ordered four of their bestselling fruit shakes (PHP 85 each). One sip and we knew that they use only the freshest fruits and ingredients in whipping up these refreshing beverages.

Fruit Shakes at Dencios Bar and Grill Restuarant Eastwood Taguig City

Can’t decide between ordering nachos or pork sisig? Don’t fret; you can now enjoy both with Dencio’s Macho Nachos (PHP 175). At first, we had no idea why it was named as such, until we took our first bite and realized that the dollop of meat on top of the nacho chips was actually made with sisig.

Macho Nachos from Dencios Bar and Grill Restaurant Eastwood Taguig City

The next dish that landed on our table was the Pancit Dencio’s (Platter PHP 205 | Bilao PHP 449). It’s a plate of canton noodles with fresh vegetables, pork, and seafood, all tossed in a thick and super flavorful sauce that I seriously wanted to eat it with a cup of rice. Haha!

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Kuya J Restaurant Names Jericho Rosales as Their New Celebrity Endorser

Kuya J Restaurant, formerly known as ‘Ang Kan-anan ni Kuya J,’ has started as a modest family business in Cebu, which quickly blossomed to becoming the Cebuano’s favorite restaurant. And now they’re finally taking over Metro Manila with the help of the new ‘Blockbuster Bida ni Kuya J,’ Mr. Jericho Rosales!

Facade Kuya J Filipino Food Restaurant SM Megamall Mandaluyong City

 

Blockbuster Bida ni Kuya J

When I arrived at Kuya J Restaurant in SM Megamall for their event and saw a standee of Jericho Rosales outside, I initially thought the restaurant was owned by Echo. That assumption was put to rest when our host, Sam Oh, called in Mr. Winglip K. Chang, the President of Kuya J Restaurant, and Chef Sheena Koseki, their Executive Chef, to present us Kuya J Restaurant’s newest celebrity endorser.

Jericho Rosales Chef Sheena Koseki Winglip Chan for Kuya J Restaurant in SM Megamall MandaluyongJericho Rosales, Chef Sheena Koseki, and Winglip K. Chang

Putting a face on Kuya J has two main criteria: one, his first name should start with the letter J (obviously hehe); and two, he must be someone people can consider as the “kuya ng bayan” for his good track record and his irresistible charm. With those two things in mind, Jericho Rosales was definitely the perfect choice!

Kuya J Restaurant proves that they know the recipe for the next viral TV commercial by putting Jericho Rosales together with some pretty girls, catchy music, and Kuya J’s mouth-watering dishes! By the time you’re reading this, you might have already seen their new TVC, but if you haven’t, well, you can watch it below:

Kuya J Restaurant

Kuya J Restaurant is definitely one of the fastest rising Filipino restaurants in the country that offers delicious and authentic Filipino food in a simple yet relaxing locale that will surely make you feel right at home!

Interior of Kuya J Restaurant Filipino Food SM Megamall Mandaluyong City

Their SM Megamall branch has just recently opened in June. And as if their 18 branches in operation are not testament enough on how successful the Kuya J Restaurant is, they surprise us by announcing that they are opening 50 additional stores nationwide before 2015 ends!

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Filipino Food Festival at Fresh Restaurant in Solaire Resort and Casino

It’s about time Filipino food got its well-deserved spotlight in the international culinary scene. More and more countries and word-famous chefs are getting interested with our diverse and rich cuisine. Fresh Restaurant at Solaire Resort & Casino has decided to grab this golden opportunity to highlight our culinary heritage by launching their month-long Filipino Food Festival with Chef Sau del Rosario.

Chef Sau del Rosario for the Filipino Food Festival at Fresh Restaurant Solaire Resor and Casino

 

Chef Sau del Rosario x 20 Years of Love & Cooking Book

You’re not a true Filipino foodie if you are not familiar with Chef Sau del Rosario. He’s practically everywhere – from TV shows, magazine covers, newspapers, and even online. Coming from four generations of native Kapampangan chefs, it’s no surprise Chef Sau pursued a culinary career as well. And by ‘pursued,’ we mean fattening his resume with local and international stints and working with Michelin star chefs like Christian Plumail, Jacque Divellec, and Bruno Loubet. He delves deeper into his 20 years of culinary experience in his recently launched book, “20 Years of Love & Cooking.” If you happen to visit Fresh Restaurant during Sunday brunches, they’re selling copies of his book, which Chef Sau would be more than happy to sign for you!

20 Years of Love and Cooking Book by Chef Sau del Rosario

 

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Sooo Pinoy Food Tour First Stop at Adarna Food & Culture

There is a tight list of countries with dishes bearing “international cuisine” status, with the French and the Italian battling for top position. And sadly, our very own Filipino cuisine falls short in terms of popularity to even qualify for a place in the top 10. But the Sooo Pinoy food campaign is determined to change just that.

Sooo Pinoy - Promoting Filipino Cuisine - CertifiedFoodies.com

Pioneered by Unilever Food Solutions in 2010, the Sooo Pinoy: Promoting Filipino Cuisine Ang sarap maging Pinoy - CertifiedFoodies.comcampaign advocates to finally put the Philippines in the cuisine map by increasing buzz and appreciation of our local dishes.

Last year, with an online voting contest, they led the search for the best Pinoy Dish with the “Sinigang na Hipon” emerging triumphant. And for 2011, the Sooo Pinoy campaign is now geared towards naming the best food establishments serving the best Pinoy dishes nationwide.

To get the word out about their new project, Unilever Food Solutions organized the Sooo Pinoy Food Tour, inviting 15 bloggers to a one-of-a-kind food trip aboard a WiFi-enabled bus around various food places in Metro Manila. Thankfully, I was part of the lucky bunch who got to participate in the event.

Everyone met up on June 11, 2011 at Adarna Food & Culture along Kalayaan Ave. in Diliman, Quezon City, the first stop in our food tour where we also had quite an unforgettable lunch prepared by executive chef and owner Giney Villar.

Our first stop is Adarna Food and Culture along Kalayaan Avenue - CertifiedFoodies.com

For a chef her age, it’s very awe-inspiring that Chef Giney has taken a brave move of ignoring what the market dictates to earn easy money, like going for Italian or American food. Rather, she chose to start a restaurant business with aims of preserving and promoting the gustatory excellence of Filipino cuisine.

Chef Giney Villar of Adarna Food and Culture restaurant - CertifiedFoodies.com

Lunch began with one of Adarna’s best-selling dishes, the Seafood Special (P485, pictured below), a mix of shrimps, scallops, and squids with several veggies all cooked in a tomato-based stew. I don’t usually get allergies when eating seafood. This time I did, possibly ‘cause of the scallops, but I think this delicious dish was worth a day of scratching. 😀

Adarna Food and Culture's Seafood Special, one of their best-selling dishes - CertifiedFoodies.com

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