Celebrate Chinese New Year with a Delicious Culinary Adventure at SM Supermalls.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a gastronomic adventure at SM Supermalls from January 18 to January 31! Embark on a journey through flavors highlighting only the best Chinese restaurants and their must-try dishes to make your festivities even more special. Not sure where to eat out? Here are some delectable spots to celebrate the festivities:

Paradise Dynasty

SM Aura, SM Podium, S Maison

Known for the world’s first 8-flavored Xiao Long Bao, Paradise Dynasty is a must-visit for dumpling lovers. Each soup dumpling has a unique flavor, from black truffle to ginseng, szechuan to crab roe, making every bite a delightful surprise. Don’t miss their signature La Mian noodles and the mouthwatering Charcoal Custard Lava Bun for dessert!

Sichu Malatang

SM Mall of Asia, SM Podium

Dive into the numbing and deliciously fiery world of authentic Malatang hotpot, a Chinese classic perfect for chilly weather. Sichu Malatang lets you customize your bowl with your favorite ingredients and spice level. Tatler recognized it as one of the best hotpot spots in Metro Manila, so it’s a must-try for hotpot enthusiasts.

Honolulu Café

SM Aura

Step into Hong Kong’s vibrant food scene at Honolulu Café. Their signature egg tart is a flaky, creamy masterpiece you won’t forget. Pair it with their BBQ pork buns, curry fish balls, or a comforting bowl of Hong Kong style noodle soup with fried egg.

Lugang Café

SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Megamall, SM City Davao

Lugang Café offers the finest in traditional Taiwanese cuisine. Indulge in their Three-Cup Chicken, Beef Noodle Soup, and a variety of dumplings that burst with authentic Taiwanese flavors. The classic taste of their Cantonese Iced Milk Tea is the perfect sweet ending to your meal.

Tong Yang

Multiple SM Locations

For those who love variety, Tong Yang’s unlimited hotpot and grill is the place to be. With an extensive selection of fresh meats, seafood, and vegetables, you can create endless combinations to satisfy your cravings. Pair it with a selection of dipping sauces for a truly customized experience.

Tim Ho Wan

SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia

Treat yourself to Tim Ho Wan’s iconic Baked BBQ Pork Buns. These sweet-savory buns are a crowd favorite and a must-try for any foodie. Other notable dishes include their flavorful Pork Dumplings with Shrimp and their lightly fried Beancurd Skin Roll.

Modern Shang

S Maison, SM BF Parañaque, SM City Clark, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Sta. Mesa

Modern Shang delivers elevated Chinese classics with a twist. Their Crispy Fried Noodles and Deep-Fried Squid with Spicy Salt and Pepper are showstoppers that will have you coming back for more. Don’t forget to try their savory Deep-Fried Chicken, which pairs perfectly with their signature fried rice.

Din Tai Fung

SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall

Home to the world’s most famous Xiao Long Bao, Din Tai Fung is a must-visit destination for a Lucky Feast! Watch as these delicate soup dumplings are made fresh before your eyes and savor their signature pork Xiao Long Bao. Pair your meal with their Shrimp and Pork Wontons with House Special Spicy Sauce and Mango Sago with Pomelo for a complete dining experience.

Don’t miss this flavorful celebration of Chinese cuisine during the Year of the Snake festivities at SM Supermalls. Download the SM Malls Online app for dining deals galore!

From Modern Shanghai to Hap Chan, SM Malls Online will ensure that you enjoy the best meals and deals this Chinese New Year.

A Taste of Singapore at Hawker Chan.

SM City Sto. Tomas, the fourth SM Supermall in the province of Batangas, prides itself as the first "Singapore style" mall in the Philippines with its stunning, nature-inspired architectural design. With over 150 retail stores, restaurants, and specialty shops, SM City Sto. Tomas has easily become a favorite among Batangueños and those from nearby provinces. Personally, I like this mall because of Uniqlo and Digital Walker (which are not found in SM San Pablo), and the variety of dining options. Among the restaurant choices in this mall is Hawker Chan, where we had lunch last weekend. 

Hawker Chan at SM City Sto. Tomas.

Hawker Chan, which began as a humble hawker stall in Singapore, is a global franchise known for its high-quality yet affordable food. Originally known as "Chan Hon Meng Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle" (Chan Hon Meng being the chef and owner), the stall became popular for its signature dish, the soya sauce chicken rice - tender and flavorful chicken served with fragrant rice, drizzled with savory soy sauce. After earning a Michelin star in 2016*, this small hawker stall catapulted to fame and expanded beyond its original location in Singapore, opening branches in several countries including the Philippines. 

To date, Hawker Chan has nineteen branches all over the country. The new stores, including the SM Sto. Tomas branch, are now dubbed as Hawker Chan 2.0 with its stylish interiors and expanded menu. They've also somewhat evolved to a casual dining restaurant, with orders taken from and served to your table instead of lining up at the counter. 

Here's a quick look at what we ordered at Hawker Chan. 

Soya Sauce Chicken, Php 198.

Yue and Maggie had the signature Soya Sauce Chicken meal, which comes with some peanuts and prawn crackers on the side. Yue had never been to Singapore before so he's not very familiar with Singaporean food, and I was pleasantly surprised that he liked this dish. (Looks like he's ready enough to go on a trip to the Lion City, haha.) 

Roasted Duck, Php 338 + Buchi, Php 98 (4 pcs).

Mom had the Roasted Duck meal which comes with a marinated egg and some prawn crackers. She liked the flavor of the duck, although the meat was not as tender as she wanted it to be. The marinated egg was good, kinda like the mayak gyeran (Korean marinated egg) that I make at home.

Char Siew (BBQ) Pork, Php 218.

Morgan and my sister-in-law had the Char Siew Pork meal, which also comes with some peanuts and prawn crackers like the Soya Sauce Chicken meal.

Hawker BBQ Pork Platefull, Php 280.

My brother and I, on the other hand, ordered a BBQ Pork Platefull each which comes with a cup of rice, stir-fry noodles, prawn crackers, a piece of buchi, a bowl of wonton soup, and a glass of cola. The BBQ pork was tender and flavorful, which I loved, the stir-fry noodles were good, the wonton soup was so-so. The true star of this platter was the buchi with its yummy peanut filling. Yue loved it so much he ordered four pieces for himself.

Our first shopping/food trip of the year. :)

Overall, dining at Hawker Chan was a pleasant experience. Everything was good - the food, the price, the ambiance, and even the service. Will I consider dining here again? Of course! Next time I'll probably try their Hainanese Chicken and Char Kway Teow (Singaporean noodles), and maybe some Chendol too, for that complete "Singapore style" experience. 

*Sadly, Hawker Chan lost its Michelin star in 2021. I'm hoping they earn it back.

Hawker Chan

SM City Sto. Tomas

Pan-Philippine Highway, San Roque,

Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Sundays Worth Savoring: Café Rizal's Php 999 Family Buffet Special!

Cafe Rizal, the buffet restaurant of Rizal Park Hotel, is thrilled to announce an exciting promotion for the month of September. Every Sunday, families are invited to savor a sumptuous lunch buffet from 11:30AM to 2:30PM for an incredible price of just P999.

This extraordinary Sunday Savings offer is the perfect opportunity for friends and families to gather and create cherished memories while relishing an array of delectable dishes expertly prepared by the restaurant’s culinary team. Delight in a diverse selection of mouthwatering dishes that cater to every palate. The buffet spread includes an assortment of appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. From succulent roast meats to fresh seafood, vibrant salads, and decadent desserts, there's something to please every discerning taste bud.

And for the young guests, Cafe Rizal presents a delightful DIY Cupcake Station. Let your kids unleash their creativity as they decorate their own cupcakes with a variety of toppings, creating sweet treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

"We wanted to offer our guests an exceptional dining experience at an unbeatable value," said Samantha Paz, Managing Director, Rizal Park Hotel. "Our Sunday Savings Buffet is the perfect way for families and friends to come together and enjoy a memorable meal in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere."

Cafe Rizal is renowned not only for its culinary excellence but also for its commitment to creating an inviting and comfortable environment for its patrons. The Sunday Savings Buffet is yet another example of Cafe Rizal's dedication to providing outstanding hospitality.

This Sunday promo is available only on September 3, 10, 17, and 24 so don't miss this opportunity. Reservations are highly recommended to secure your table for this fantastic family dining experience. To make a reservation or for more information, please call 09177113926.

To know more about Rizal Park Hotel and its facilities follow https://www.facebook.com/RizalParkHotel and https://www.instagram.com/rizalparkhotel1911/

Ferns Café | For Your Next Food Adventure.

And just like that, another academic year is over. Yue is now officially on a school break, which means more time for him to eat, sleep, play video games, and repeat. As for me, I can finally catch up on my anime, Kdrama, and writing backlog, starting with this blog entry for my coffee shop series. This time, we're featuring Ferns Café, a fairly new coffee shop located on the outskirts of the city, along the busy and oftentimes traffic-filled stretch of Maharlika Highway. 

Ferns Café.

I've always been curious about this café, having seen this in passing a few times before. The place looks very chic and contemporary from the outside with its geometric facade, slanted roof, and large picture windows. As it turns out, Ferns Café is just as lovely inside with its classy lights and modern interiors. Plants of all shapes and sizes also decorate the place which give the café a sophisticated yet relaxing vibe. 

Ferns inside Ferns.

Modern look, homey vibe.

Despite coming at a busy hour, we didn't have trouble finding seats at Ferns as the place is pretty spacious. They even have a second floor which can accommodate large groups and can be rented out for events such as business meetings and wedding receptions. I didn't have the chance to explore the second floor though, as service was surprisingly fast at Ferns Café. Our appetizers were served in a little over five minutes, and less than ten minutes later our entrees were being wheeled to our table. Gordon Ramsay would have been so proud, haha! 

For starters, we had Clubhouse Sandwich and Fried Calamari. My aunt-in-law preferred wheat bread for the sandwich, and the staff was more than happy to comply with her request. 

Clubhouse Sandwich, Php 245.

My aunt-in-law also enjoyed the Fried Calamari. It was so good that we finished this plate right away and we had to order another serving, haha.

Fried Calamari, Php 295.

Yue had the Grilled Chicken Sandwich, served with fries on the side. As you can see, the sandwich is packed with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber and comes with a tangy sauce. Yue loved this a lot and he says this is now his new favorite comfort food, lol.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Php 175.

He also had the Creamy Carbonara which was indeed creamy and flavorful. However, he didn't like the bacon and left most of it on the plate because they weren't crispy and had too much fat.

Creamy Carbonara, Php 220.

My sister-in-law, on the other hand, ordered the Lasagna, which according to her was meaty and flavorful, but a tad too oily. The serving was pretty huge, and despite the oil, she enjoyed the food anyway.

Lasagna, Php 275.

Another huge serving was the Chicken Cordon Bleu, which my niece had. Ferns Café offers a variety of rice meals on their menu, and this was one of them. 

Chicken Cordon Bleu, Php 285.

As for me, I had their bestseller Shrimp Aglio Olio. Despite being a very simple dish (it's made with olive oil and garlic and garnished with shrimp), this one is very aromatic and flavourful. My only gripe is that the serving was seemingly smaller compared to the lasagna and carbonara. 

Shrimp Aglio Olio, Php 185.

For sharing, we also had the Fern Seafood Pesto Pizza. The flavour combination may sound and look odd at first (like who puts mangoes on pizza?), but this pizza is surprisingly good! Even my aunt-in-law thought so, and she was glad that she got to try this out-of-the-box pizza flavour.

Fern Seafood Pesto Pizza, Php 405 (family size).

We also had coffee, of course. Ferns is known for their good coffee, and true enough, their brews did not disappoint. I like my coffee strong and with just a hint of sweetness, and this Choco Hazelnut Latte definitely had that kick. 

Choco Hazelnut Latte, Php 155 (grande).
Hot Chocolate, Php 130 (tall).

If you're a bit adventurous when it comes to food, Ferns Café is a must-try. Their wide variety of food choices will definitely pop your taste buds and fill your tummy. On top of that, every nook and cranny of this café is picture-perfect and Instagram-worthy. I'd say it's a must-visit if you're a coffee addict plauntie (plantita) like me!

Ferns at night.

Ferns Café

Km 85 Maharlika Highway,

Brgy. San Ignacio, San Pablo City

+63 920 944 0895

Mother's Day Specials from Max's Restaurant.

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and as we all know, it's also the busiest day of the year for restaurants and food establishments. After all, it's the day when we all want to take our moms out for lunch or dinner so that she wouldn't have to cook, clean, or slave away in the kitchen.

If you want to avoid crowded places or long restaurant waits on Mother's Day, how about ordering from Max's Restaurant and opt for delivery instead?

Mother's Day Bundle, Php 1899.

For this special occasion, Max's Restaurant is offering a Mother's Day Bundle and it comes with Max's bestsellers and crowd favorites - Regular Whole Fried Chicken, Lechon Kawali Kare-kare, Lumpiang Shanghai, Large Plain Rice, a tub of Buko Pandan, and 4 bottles of Sago't Gulaman. 

Regular Whole Fried Chicken.

Lechon Kawali Kare-kare.

Lumpiang Shanghai.

The price for this bundle starts at Php 1,899 and will be available at all Max's Restaurant branches from now until May 31. 

From the Max's Corner Bakery. :)

Aside from the Mother's Day Bundle, you can also show your love for your mom by surprising her with the Max's Troubador Cake. This soft and buttery cake is finally making a comeback on the Max's Corner Bakery menu just in time for Mother's Day, and I'm hoping this fluffy and yummy cake is here to stay. 

Max's Troubador Cake, Php 799.

This cake retails for Php 799 and you can also have this delivered as well. Orders can be made through the Max's Delivery website, or you can call directly to their stores. Check out Max's official Facebook page for the contact numbers and Viber hotlines.

If you still want to keep up with the timeless tradition of taking mom out to eat this Sunday, you'd be glad to know that both the Mother's Day Bundle and the Troubador Cake are also available for dine-in and take out.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and Happy Mother's Day!

Cravings Satisfied at Krāv Café.

Another coffee shop that has been on my radar for quite sometime now is Krāv Cafe. I would often see photos of my godparents dining here week after week together with their church friends, and this definitely piqued my curiosity. I was like, "Wow, the food must be really good for them to visit almost every Sunday."

After many weeks of curious thinking, I finally had the chance to try their food. Yue and I had late lunch yesterday at Krāv after running some errands and visiting the dentist for his monthly braces adjustment.

As we entered the place, the first thing I noticed was the huge glass windows which give the cafe a very inviting atmosphere. The interiors were just as impressive with its concrete walls, wood elements, and neutral color palette. I'm all for the minimalist industrial design, and Krāv is totally my style.

Huge glass windows.

Concrete walls and wood elements.

I also love how this place is spacious and well-lighted - perfect for lounging with friends, Sunday brunch with your family, or date nights with your loved one. 

Lots of space and electrical outlets.

Krāv also makes a great productivity hub for students and remote workers. They offer free (and fast) wi-fi to paying customers, and they have electrical outlets all over the place for your laptops and gadgets. 

When we visited Krāv, there was actually a group of students huddled in one corner with laptops and tablets in tow. It was quite nice to see them enjoying their cakes and coffee while getting actual work done. (I sort of overheard their conversation and they were brainstorming for a performance task.)

Speaking of coffee, Krāv has a wide selection of them on their menu. They also have fruit juices and tea, and some alcoholic beverages, too. I'm not sure if they serve the latter all day like their breakfast menu, but I do know that they do not serve alcohol to minors. Pasta and sandwiches are also present on the Krāv menu, as well as finger foods for starters and cakes for desserts.

The Krāv menu.

Cakes and coffee.

Yue, who was famished after an exhausting day at school, ordered the Breakfast Feast. This usually comes with two slices of bread and brewed coffee, but he opted to have it with fried rice instead. I was in the mood for pasta so I ordered their Pesto which also comes with sourdough bread.

Pesto, Breakfast Feast, Iced Chocolate.

Breakfast Feast, Php 275.

Pesto, Php 195.

Their Pesto is nutty and garlicky, just the way pesto should be. It's creamy and savory and has that nice, earthy flavor with hints of saltiness from the parmesan cheese. I wish they didn't over toast the bread, though. This plate would have been perfect if not for the sourdough bread that was bit too tough to bite.

Happy camper yet again.

Yue, on the other hand, had no complaints about his Breakfast Feast. He enjoyed it a lot, and would have ordered another if not for the power chain on his teeth. (His teeth started to hurt as soon as he was done eating.) He also liked their Iced Chocolate which, according to him, has the right amount of sweetness and creaminess. 

Of course, I had to have coffee and dessert. I ordered a 22oz cup of Spanish Latte and a slice of Carrot Cake. Their coffee is pretty good, while their cake tasted oddly familiar. Even Yue noticed it, too. Perhaps their cakes and the cakes from another restaurant are baked by the same patissier? Nonetheless, their Carrot Cake is yummy and a real eye-candy.

Spanish Latte 22oz, Php 140.
Carrot Cake, Php 13 per slice.

Overall, Yue and I enjoyed our first Krāv experience. The food may be a bit on the pricey side, but you definitely get your money's worth with the plating, presentation, and the taste. The cozy ambiance and friendly staff also makes this cafe worth visiting.

If you're looking for a nice co-working space that serves good food, Krāv is a must-try. You can even bring your pet/s along, as they're one of the few pet-friendly dining establishments here in the city. Plus points too for the spacious car park in front of their building. Now you can have coffee in peace without having to worry about your car getting scratched or dented while parked (or double parked, lol) along the busy streets of San Pablo.

Krāv Cafe

Ground Flr. G5 Bldg.,

M. Brion St., Brgy. IV-C

San Pablo City