Gastronomic Adventure, Day 1

My family and I are always looking for good food and exciting adventure that's the Venice Piazza Food Adventure was the perfect deal for us. Friends from Megaworld introduced me to the gastronomic adventure and I, on the other hand, shared it to my family the following weekend. The Food Adventure will let you sample yummy dishes from 14 restaurants/establishments in Venice Piazza, all of which can be availed within two consecutive weekend days from 4 pm - 9 pm, at a super reasonable price of P600 per person. Mechanics are fairly simple -- just wear the Food Adventure band, present the passport to the establishment upon ordering the designated dish/es, and enjoy!

Food Adventure wrist bands and passport

Since this is an adventure, we first studied the featured establishments and devised a game plan that will have the four of us finish everything within two consecutive weekend days, with each day allowing us to try equal number of appetizers, main courses, drinks and desserts. For those restaurants that offered two choices, we agreed that two will order dish #1 and the other two will order dish #2. We started on a Saturday so we continued the following Sunday.

Happy bunch on a food adventure

PHO HOA VIETNAMESE NOODLE HOUSE had their best seller Pomelo Salad -- fresh greens, julienne-cut cucumber, red bell pepper and carrots, pomelo chunks, shrimp and nuts with a generous serving of their sweet-sour vinaigrette -- as front runner for the Food Adventure.

Pomelo Salad

EMPIRE DELI & RESTAURANT offered healthy and delectable salads. The Empire Signature Salad is a simple one made of fresh green, cherry tomato, black olives, boiled egg and slices of grilled chicken. On the other hand, the Grilled Tuna Salad is a refreshing mix of greens, julienne-cut green mango, grilled tuna slices and sesame seeds.

Signature Salad

Grilled Tuna Salad

PINCHOS RESTAURANT & BAR, a fairly new establishment from the same owner as Blackwood Bistro, served a Duo of Buffalo Chicken Fillet with (Nacho) Chips and Salsa, a perfect combination.

Duo of Buffalo Chicken Fillet with Chips and Salsa

BLACKWOOD BISTRO offered their Penne Puttanesca made with tomato sauce, black olives and grated parmesan cheese, a rather heavy dish for an appetizer.

Penne Puttanesca

RED CRAB served specially created dishes for the Food Adventure -- buttery soft Dory Fillet with Honey Mustard Sauce and Fried Stuffed Bean Curd with Crab Relleno served with Garlic Chili Sauce. So yummy! Unfortunately, they're not part of the regular menu.

Dory Fillet with Honey Mustard Sauce

Fried Stuffed Bean Curd with Crab Relleno with Garlic Chili Sauce

KUSE TRADITIONAL FILIPINO CUISINE provided a choice between Lechong Kawali (with plain rice and atchara) and Chicken Relleno (with garlic rice and atchara), two dishes that were so filling that we had to rest for a few minutes before going to our next stop.

Lechon Kawali

Chicken Relleno

SOL GELATO was our sweet ending for day 1 of the Food Adventure and each of us savored a serving of any two Gelato flavors of our choice. Mine was a Ferrero-Coffee Crunch tandem and it left me with a smile on my lips.

Two Gelato Flavors -- Ferrero and Coffee Crunch for me!

Being full from our first day of yummy treats, we spent the rest of the evening strolling around Venice Piazza, burning the calories while relaxing under the stars.

The Venice Piazza Food Adventure is until March 31. Try this heavenly promo now or wait for next Food Adventure run.

Related post: Gastronomic Adventure, Day 2

Filed under FLAVORS

Back With Brian McKnight

Yes, American R&B and Pop singer/songwriter and musical arranger Brian McKnight is back in the Philippines and is staging a concert with Back with Brian Mcknight Live in Manila on March 16, 2012, 8PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and on March 17, 2012 at the Harborfront Hotel in Cebu. Known for his hits "One Last Cry" and "Back At One," Concert goers will be in for a treat as Brian sings love songs and more.

His special guest for his concert is Angeline Quinto, a relative newcomer, but Brian is confident that she'll give a great performance because he believes in Filipino talent and knows that, "everyone here sings good and knows how to perform."

Brian McKnight

Having been here three times before, he lists among his favorite Filipino artists Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez. "Martin because the very first time I came here, I guested on his late night show and we became brothers, I'm his black brother. We became very close. Gary, I worked with him. Regine, when I heard her sing Mariah's (Carey) songs, I told Mariah that if she (Regine) comes here and sings your songs, you're not going to sing it anymore. You're going back to the drawing board."

Presented by MJM Productions, this show is special to Brian since this will be the first time in a long while that he will be performing with his two sons, Brian Jr. and Niko, who themselves are in the limelight because of their hit song "Marry Your Daughter." Composed by Brian Jr., the songs video garnered about 27 million hits on YouTube.

Brian with sons Niko (left) and Brian Jr. (right)

Musicality is obviously running in the family. When asked if their father influenced them in their craft, Brian Jr. said, "Of course he's influenced us a lot in music and he's really supportive. I wanted to go into NBA and play basketball but when I was 16, I started doing my songs." A proud father of two talented sons, he advises them to research and improve their craft. "'Marry Your Daughter' is an awesome song. But at the end of the day, what's the next step? You got to improve and not be complacent."

Brian has been active in Twitter because he believes that social media is the way to go nowadays for artist like him to interact with fans. "I really didn't want to do social media. I was from the days when you just put out a record and they like you whenever you come out. But now, if you're not on top of social media, you're forgotten. Now, as an artist, you have to be the most proactive person for your career and not wait for the label to do it for you. Now you 'twit' and do what you have to do to stay relevant. At the end of the day, reaching out to the fans on a personal level may make them buy your album or concert tickets." He also plans to do a live web feed from his studio so his fans can watch him and other musicians at work.

With that said, fans can expect to see and hear more from Brian McKnight, and his sons, in the coming days. In the meantime, here's a video I took of their little sample of 'Marry Your Daughter.'

Marry Your Daughter by Brian, Niko & Brian Jr.

For the Manila concert:

Ticket Prices

PATRON (PT 101 & 103) (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,770

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,240

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – PhP 3,180

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 2,120

UPPER BOX B – PhP 1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION – PhP 530

Call 911-5555 or log-on to www.ticketnet.com.ph for online reservations.

Filed under SHOWS

Forever 21 Sale

Fashionistas on the look out for good buys will be heading to Forever 21 SM Makati this weekend for its 3-day day. Mark your calendars now, girls -- March 16, 17 and 18 -- for selected fashion finds that are up to 50% off.

Nokia Recycles

Found this funky bench on the cinema level of Greenbelt 3 recently and it really caught my attention. So what if there's a new bench?

Well, this is a "green" bench installed by Nokia featuring a mannequin built with old cell phone parts. A good way to recycle old phones and at the same time create awareness for and inspire other people to also go "green."

The brass plate on the bench reads: In memory of your old cell phones. Old cell phones can be recycled and used to make new things like trumpets, roller coasters, and even this park bench. Give the world a helping hand and recycle your old phone.

I remember the "drop boxes" that Nokia placed in malls some time ago to collect parts of old cell phones. So now we know where those parts went.

Log on to nokia.com/recycle to know more about the project and how we can help in our little way.

Filed under SIGHTS

Oreo Turns 100

Oreo, the heavenly chocolate cookie that we "twist, lick and dunk," celebrates its centennial mark. Created in March 6, 1912 at the National Biscuit Company bakery, it remained a well-loved sweet treat through the years and so they are sharing two very special recipes for Oreo fans to try and enjoy.

Happy 100th birthday, Oreo!

Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

photo from kirbiecravings.com

Ingredients

2 sticks softened butter

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla

3 1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

10 oz. bag chocolate chips

1 pkg. Oreo cookies

Procedure

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars together with a mixer until well combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined. Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie. Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo cookie. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo cookie is enclosed with dough. Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Makes about 2 dozen large cookies.

Triple-Chocolate Cookie Balls

photo from kraftbrands.com

Ingredients

1 pkg. Oreo

1 cup milk

1 package JELL-O chocolate instant pudding

12 to 16 Baker's semi-sweet chocolate squares

4 to 8 Bakers white chocolate squares

Procedure

In a small bowl, make a paste out of the pudding and the milk. Put 36 of the Oreos into a gallon-size zip-top bag and crush them (with a rolling pin or a mallet). Add the crushed cookies to the pudding mixture and stir will. Form the mixture into small balls and place on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet; freeze them for about 10 minutes.

While they're in the freezer, please the semi-sweet chocolate squares in a microwave-safe bowl and heat, stirring often, until melted. Dip the chilled Oreo balls into the melted chocolate, place them on a fresh wax-paper lined cookie sheet, and refrigerate or freeze for another 10 minutes.

Melt the white chocolate squares, and drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cookie balls using a fork or a spoon. Return them to the refrigerator to harden briefly before serving.

Makes 40 to 45 cookie balls

Hope you'll have fun in the kitchen with these two yummy recipes. Let me know how you like them (or send me samples). :)

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/100-years-oreo-recipes-facts-famous-cookie-194400045.html

Filed under FLAVORS

March 2012 Concert Scene

Get ready on March 8 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum for a night of fun and hip music in SMASH Project 2012 featuring Cobra Starship, The Used, The Cab and Dashboard Confessional plus performances by local bands Chicosci, Urbandub and Typecast.

Four rock bands on one stage in one night! Brought to you by DAYLY Entertainment.

Ticket Prices:

PATRON (101 & 103) – STANDING - PhP 4,240

PATRON SEATED (Reserved Seating) - PhP 4,240

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) - PhP 3,710

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) - PhP 2,650

UPPER BOX B - PhP 1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION - PhP 530

Like SMASH PROJECT for more info. Call 911 5555 or visit http://ticketnet.com.ph to reserve tickets.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) will perform live in Manila for their History of Modern Concert Tour on March 12, 8 pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Reminisce with OMD songs "If You Leave," "Secret," "Enola Guy," "So In Love," and "Dreaming."

Ticket Prices

PATRON A A TO U (101,103,108,107,111,112) (Reserved Seating – PhP 4,770

PATRON B V TO Z (101,103,104,105,106,113,114,115) (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,240

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – PhP 3,180

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 2,120

UPPER BOX B – PhP 1,060

Call 911-5555 or log-on to www.ticketnet.com.ph for online reservations. For more info, please visit http://www.facebook.com/OMD.Manila.2012

This event is presented by Sticky Rice Media Agency in association with Shadow.Inc Entertainment, Happy Box, & iCreate Entertainment Solutions.

Japanese American guitarist and singer-songwriter Kina Grannis is coming to Manila on March 15, 2012 at the Meralco Theatre as a part of her In Your Arms World Tour. She’s also set to perform in Malaysia on March 13, March 18 in Indonesia and March 19 in Singapore.

Ticket prices

ORCHESTRA CENTRE (with Meet & Greet) – PhP 2,950

ORCHESTRA SIDES – PhP 1,950

BALCONY – PhP 950

Get your tickets here: http://kinagrannismanila2012.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn

For more info visit: http://www.soulmannalive.com

Relax with your favorite love songs from Brian Mcknight in Back to Brian Mcknight Live in Manila on March 16, 2012, 8PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, presented by MJM Productions.

Ticket Prices

PATRON (PT 101 & 103) (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,770

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,240

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – PhP 3,180

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 2,120

UPPER BOX B – PhP 1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION – PhP 530

Call 911-5555 or log-on to www.ticketnet.com.ph for online reservations.

80′s original pop superstar Cyndi Lauper is coming back to Manila! Watch her perform her hit songs such as "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "Money Changes Everything," "She-Bop," "True Colors," and "Time After Time, among others, on March 17, 2012, 6 pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices

Patron A – PhP 5,500

Patron B – PhP 5,000

Lower VIP – PhP 4,500

Lower Box – PhP 4,000

Upper Box A – PhP 2,500

Upper Box B – PhP 1,250

General Admission – PhP 750

Tickets are available NOW! Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or visit your nearest TICKETNET outlets in all SM Dept. Stores – Customer Service. More info at http://pulpmagazinelive.com/main/2011/12/cyndi-lauper-live-in-manila/

Shout It Out World Tour: Hanson LIVE in Manila and Cebu! On March 30, 2012 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum and March 31, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu.

Ticket Prices for Manila show

PATRON VIP 101 & 103 (FIRST 10 ROWS - Reserved Seating) - PhP 4,770

PATRON (Reserved Seating) - PhP 3,710

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) - PhP 3,180

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) - PhP 2,650

UPPER BOX B - PhP 1,590

GENERAL ADMISSION - PhP 530

Ticket Prices for Cebu show

VIP - PhP 3,500

GOLD - PhP 3,000

SILVER - PhP 2,000

BRONZE - PhP 1,000

SP Balcony - PhP 1,500

General Admission - PhP 600

Tickets for Manila show are available at all Ticketnet outlets.

Tickets for Cebu show are availale at the Waterfront Hotel Lahug Lobby, SM City Cebu Customer Service and Ayala Center Cebu Customer Center.

Wilbros Live presents 4x Grammy Award Winner (with over 100 Million records sold worldwide) Olivia Newton-John Live in Manila on March 31, 2012, 8pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Walk down memory lane with her 70s and 80s hits "I Honestly Love You," "Hopelessly Devoted To You," "Physical," "Xanadu," "Suddenly," "You’re The One That I Want," "Summer Night" and more!

Ticket Prices

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 5,280

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,755

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – PhP 4,225

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1270

GENERAL ADMISSION – PhP 530

Tickets are available NOW! Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or visit your nearest TICKETNET outlets in all SM Dept. Stores – Customer Service.

Filed under SHOWS

A Funny Post-Valentine Musical Treat

After a successful stint in The Kitchen Musical, Christian Bautista and Karylle will headline the first of Resorts World Manila Concert Series this 2012. Together with veteran comedian Nanette Inventor, Christian and Karylle will serenade audiences with a funny twist in Love & Laughter, a post-Valentine concert on February 29 at The Newport Performing Arts Theater. The three stars will be joined by singing sensations Primo, and the Opera Belles.

Christian and Karylle have been friends way back and have worked together on stage for West Side Story and on television for The Kitchen Musical and ASAP but this will be their first time to do a concert together and I am sure their chemistry will shine through. "Karylle and I worked together in so many gigs, even before, "Christian said, "but doing this concert with her is something new and very exciting to us." When asked on where their chemistry comes from, Karylle had this to say, "Christian and I are so alike in so many ways and we have always been good friends."

At the press conference

Witty lady Nanette Inventor will give the show a funny dimension. "Leap year only happens once every four years," says Nanette, "so the concept of this concert is also a rarity that I'm sure viewers will fall in love and travel back in time with such beautiful songs that they will perform."

(l-r) Karylle, Christian Bautista and Nanette Inventor

RWM Concert Series Presents Love & Laughter is directed by Freddie Santos and produced by Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Ultimate Entertainment and Stages Talents.

Karylle, Christian and Nanette with one Opera Belle and the trio Primo

Ticket prices start at P1,500 (upper balcony), P2,000 (balcony), P2,500 (deluxe), P3,000 (premiere) and P4,000 (VIP). Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office, or in any Ticketworld outlet. For more information, call RWM Tourist Hotline at (632) 836-6333 or Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999, or visit www.rwmanila.com.

Filed under SHOWS