Tokyo Bubble Tea's Milk Tea Tower

Marielle

The milk tea craze hit us hard this year, with various milk tea brands popping out of nowhere with flavors you never knew could go with tea! Tokyo Bubble Tea, however, has been around longer than most milk tea establishments. I frequent TBT for their yummy katsudon and Yakinuku Beef Rice, perfectly paired with any cold milk tea drink.

Last Month, my friends and I decided to try their Milk Tea Tower with three flavors to choose from - royal, pearl, and chocolate milk tea. The tower is PhP699 and is good for 6 – 8 persons. We chose Royal Milk Tea, a right level of sweetness that goes well with the salty and tangy taste of most of their jap dishes. They gave us glasses with ice, and served the pears separately. 

We didn’t think we could finish the whole thing, but we ended up savouring it up to the last drop! Perfect for barkadas catching up on a lazy afternoon. Cheers!

Modern Cookbook: Yummy Filipino Recipes iPad App

Marielle Ebao

I enjoy watching cooking shows and occasionally browsing through recipe books to find dishes I can try out for myself. I look for ones that are easy to prepare, since I am usually a disaster at the kitchen. The problem is, once I see something I'd like to try, most ingredients cannot be bought locally, or are too expensive for everyday meals. Luckily, Summit Media recently released its first ever iPad app, which contains Filipino recipes with easy-to-follow steps and uses ingredients that can be found in local grocery stores. 

This is a screenshot of the app's home page. The app takes after the vibrant Yummy magazine color scheme and engaging layout, only now, made easily accessible to techie Filipino food lovers whenever, wherever. 

Even the not-so-techie moms/dads can enjoy this app, because it's so easy to use, it even comes with a "How to Use this App" feature and handy navigation bars.

Recipes are grouped under these categories: Salads and Vegetables, Noodles and Rice, Fish and Seafood, Meat, Poultry, and Desserts and Sweet Snacks. Just choose a category, put on your apron, and raid your kitchen! 

I'm tempted to share screenshots of the actual recipes, because they all look so good! I'll let you find out for yourselves, though. So go ahead and download this app which retails at $3.99, by going to this App Store link: http://bit.ly/MzrLtv. Enjoy!

Thanks to the Summit Media team, especially to their Media Relations Associate, Ms. Charlotte Catapang, for introducing us to this app! :) 

Do leave your comments about the app here, and maybe share your favorite recipes! 

Fruitti Nutti: Your Healthy Food Choice

by Marielle

Living a healthy lifestyle is almost impossible nowadays, with processed foods abundant and easily available wherever you go. We may not have time to prepare full course meals everyday, but snacking on healthy food always helps. Protein and fiber-rich fruits and nuts are great snack options to keep your diet healthy even when on the go.

Fruitti Nutti is a newly-opened retail store specializing in the supply of U.S.-origin Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, macadamias, pistachios and pecans; Dried Fruits such as blueberries, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, dairy-free & cholesterol free cooking cream and coffee creamer; other food ingredients and specialty fruit and nut mixes. The woman behind this new healthy food stop is Elaine Gatchalian, giving Filipinos a taste of nutritious food options that won't break your budget.

Healthy Food Choices are available in a variety of pack sizes:

- Dried Fruits (Blueberries, Cherries, Cranberries, Dates, Prunes, Raisins, Golden Raisins, Strawberries, etc.)

- Nuts (Unsalted Almonds, Macadamia, Pistachios, Walnuts, Hazelnuts, etc.)

- Specialty Nut and Fruit Mixes

- Other healthy ingredients (Dairy-free, gluten-free coffee creamer, creamer & whipped cream made from Almonds & cashews)

Among a cornucopia of healthy snack foods offered in their store, I was able to try out several dried fruits and nuts that satisfied my taste buds without the unnecessary oils and artificial flavoring. Take a look at these healthy and utterly delicious treats:

Aren't they delightful to look at? All the more to snack on or to add to your meals! These fruits and nuts can be added to your dishes, used as ice cream or yogurt toppings, or eaten plainly. The possibilities are endless!

Fruitti Nutti goodies!

Time to give the junkfood a break. Visit their store located at Unit 7, 8 Jade Bldg., Santolan Rd., Greenhills, San Juan City.

For more information, you can contact Ms. Elaine Gatchalian through these numbers: 975 9689 / 0917 537 2361 or send an email to fruittinutti@gmail.com.

 Happy healthy munching!

Marielle zeroes in on the meat of the matter: Brickfire Oven-Roasted Steaks and Chops

Where else can you find brick oven - cooked steak served with delectable sidings, all for an affordable price?  You don't need to travel far, because there's a new place in town that offers diners a casual, cozy environment to indulge in your favorite comfort food. 

It started out as an idea that came out of the blue while owners Aaron Macalinao and Tadi Diaz were biking in Sierra Madre. They both shared a love for steaks, and given that Aaron already owns a meat shop (yes, he proudly calls himself a butcher!), and Tadi, an experienced chef, the partnership was a match made in meaty heaven. They opened their steakhouse last April 21, 2012, and has been making quite a buzz with students and families frequenting the restaurant. Located just behind the dynamic Katipunan food strip, Brickfire is the place to go for satisfying your carnivorous cravings! I was lucky enough to try out their best-sellers, and I went all gangsta on the meat!

This is the scene right after a packed lunch hour. There are still some customers taking their time to savor the goodness!

The house specialties are fork-tender steaks and chops, but there's something for everyone here. You can order their Baked Fish, Pasta, Tofu Tempura, and Los Indios, a different take on the adobo. Take a look at their wide range of choices:

The menu

If reading the menu isn't mouth-watering enough, check these out. My photos aren't doing these dishes justice! You must try them out for yourself.  

Cowgirl Annie

This T-bone steak is marinated in a special sauce (you can choose from original or honey-mustard) and is tender as can be. Some of the T-bone steaks I've tried are so easy to finish because they've been cut so thinly. I couldn't get enough of this one, but I had to make room for the rest!

The Duke

This premium tenderloin is a juicy slice of heaven, bathed in Brickfire's homemade gravy and eaten alongside the mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes may seem innocent enough, but once you bite into the delightful chunks inside, you'll realize you might need extra rice with this one. 

Los Indios

Los Indios is an adobo experience I haven't had in a long time. Remember going out on family picnics and unraveling delicious Filipino delicacies wrapped in banana leaves? This take on the adobo is special because the meat so gracefully shared its juices with the rice, making it all the more flavorful. You can choose from pork, chicken, spicy, or sisig.

Tofu Tempura

Not in the mood for meat? You can try their Tofu Tempura. Not too dry, and not too soft as well. The crunch is balanced out by the creamy sauce. Great for sharing!

Brickfire's Marketing Officer Ms. Jowie Maulawin, Me, and founders Mr. Aaron Macalinao, and Mr. Tadi Diaz

It was really a great experience for my taste buds. Chatting with Aaron, Tadi, and Jowie made my experience all the more special. I can't wait to go back! :)

Brickfire is located at:

2/F Xavier Residence Building, E. Abada corner R. Alvero St., Loyola Heights, QC

Contact numbers:

(02) 4262254

(0917)7777034

Operating Hours: 6AM - 10:45PM

Visit their facebook page for more details and get updated with their promotions. 

New Kid on the Block: Marielle loves Chili’s

Hello, everyone! I am the newest addition to the Manila Foodistas family, also an alumna from the University of the Philippines. I thought it would be a good idea to share with you my favorite restaurant for comfort food and pigging out – Chili’s! I specifically am fond of the Tomas Morato branch, because the people are friendly and attentive, plus it’s the nearest branch from our house.

Chili’s has that casual atmosphere where people need not mind their manners while munching on mouth - watering Southwestern cuisine such as ribs, fajitas, nachos, burgers, and steaks. Here are my ultimate favorites: 

Classic Nachos

Crispy Chicken Salad

Ribeye Steak & Shrimp

Chili’s is top of mind when my family wants to pig out. I’ve tried majority of their dishes, having celebrated several special occasions there. Here is a photo of me with my family after my college graduation. We couldn’t walk straight after dinner!

Our orders from left to right: Fajita Trio, Guiltless Grill Salmon, Classic Nachos, Crispy Chicken Salad, Monterey Chicken, and Ribeye Steak & Shrimp.

If you’re out celebrating with friends, you can try their Presidente Margarita! My dad allowed me to have one since it was my graduation day. 

Branches: Rockwell, Greenhills, Greenbelt 5, and Tomas Morato

Check out their website for more mouth - watering dishes! :)