Brasas: Latin American Street Food

I have been reading numerous positive reviews about Brasas that when I was invited by my fellow foodie KC to have dinner, I agreed immediately. Anyway, it was just a few blocks from where I work.

We were already starving when we arrived, so I forgot about taking photos of the place. :P

KC ordered Puerco Asado (Php 240) while I had a Beef Rice Platter (Php 220). Lester, who later joined us for dinner, got the Chicken Rice Platter (Php 180).

Puerco Asado

The New Nescafe 3in1 Original and a Mini Giveaway!

Note: Giveaway is now over. Winners are already announced here.

I'm a coffee addict. The day I'll stop drinking coffee is the day I stop breathing.  

I love drinking any type of coffee, but my ultimate lifesaver is NESCAFE 3in1 Original.

My lifesaver

The NEW NESCAFE 3in1 Original is now in 20-gram sachet, with smoother foam and richer flavor. It's one of the most affordable luxuries I can have daily.

NESCAFE just launched its TVC, featuring Parokya ni Edgar with their song "Akala" and Zendee Rose Tenerefe.

Akiba Cafe Opens in Ash Creek Center, San Juan

The popular quaint Japanese cafe, Akiba Cafe, at SM Megamall has now opened a second branch at the Ash Creek Center, Greenhills, San Juan. KC and I were invited to visit their newest branch to try their bestsellers and new dishes.

inside Akiba Cafe

This branch is more spacious, which makes it comfortable for friends to hang-out and students to review (since it's near the schools).

Raw Food Living Cuisine: Recipes from Alive! The Farm at San Benito

I have been reading lots of positive reviews from people who have been to The Farm at San Benito, that I'd love to bring my mom to this place soon.

Opened in 2002, The Farm at San Benito is still the only resort destination in the country that offers comprehensive programs addressing diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cancer care, in a natural and holistical way. The Farm also offers detoxification cleansing retreats and raw living food cuisine. The Farm has won 26 prestigious international awards, including "Best Medical Wellness Resort in the World" from SENSES Germany.

Here are some of the award-winning nourishing recipes from their Alive! restaurant, which you can also do at home. :)

APPETIZER
Mushroom Ceviche
4–6 servings

Dating back to Inca times, ceviche is a very popular South American dish, where raw fish is marinated in acidic lime juice, salt and chile peppers, then served without being cooked. The Farm’s recipe replaces the fish with an assortment of mushrooms, but the light, refreshing flavor, with a hint of chile, is the same.

Ingredients
For ceviche:

• 3 cup mushrooms (king oyster, shiitake, maitake, enokitake, and/or button mushrooms), sliced
• 2 cups young coconut meat, julienned
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 cup ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 3 chili, seeded and minced
• 4 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 4 tbsp basil, chopped
• 4 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 tsp liquid aminos
• 4 tbsp lime juice
• Black pepper, salt, cayenne, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium-sized cucumber, diced
• 1 mango, diced

For marinade

• 3 tbsp tamari
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced

For assembly

• 6 tsp coconut sour crème sauce (see recipe below)

Method

1. Mix the marinade ingredients and marinate the mushrooms in the mixture for at least 2 to 3 hours.
2. Drain mushrooms and combine thoroughly with all other ingredients.
3. Serve in a cocktail glass with a drizzle of sour crème and topped with a few corn and chili crackers (if desired). Sprinkle on some chopped fresh herbs and some thinly sliced onions, if required.

New Offerings from Brothers Burger!

Brothers Burger always remind me of happy memories: dinner treat from a newly-hired barkada, lunch with my first project team, and a funny comment from my burger-loving dad (he says the burger was too huge. hahaha)

I was invited last week for lunch by the brothers themselves, DJ and Martin Jose, to try the newest items on their menu.

We got to try their Chicken Wings (Php 219), with two delicious flavors: Barbecue and Butter Parmesan.

Barbecue Chicken Wings

Butter Parmesan Chicken Wings

Six pieces of crispy chicken wings marinated in either Barbecue or Butter Parmesan, it was really crunchy and delicious! I'm a little partial with the Butter Parmesan, as it has this amazing aroma that I could even smell its buttery goodness from a distance.

Shawarma Guys at The Fort Strip

Note: This restaurant is already closed.

The first time that I went to visit Shawarma Guys was last month, when I suggested to my friend that we have a pre-dinner first while we wait for our other friends to arrive at Tapeo. I was blown away by the Sisig Shawarma that I wanted to get a second one.

my first Sisig Shawarma

A few weeks later, I find myself back to Shawarma Guys, excited to get my hands on that sinful and crunchy Sisig Shawarma once again. 

inside Shawarma Guys

Shawarma Guys is from the owners of URBN Bar & Kitchen and Relik Tapas Bar. Chef Benjo Tuason, the head chef and owner, considers this their "carinderia" because of its affordability and laid-back ambiance. The walls are designed with the items on the menu. They even have a clever sign pointing to the restroom.

Yakimix

It really took a while before I decided to post my latest experience with Yakimix. I know a lot of people love Yakimix that most probably they have gone to this buffet resto more than I do. I have first visited Yakimix two years ago with my college friends, who I share the same fondness for buffets. I gave this place a second visit a few months ago with the same people. 

My friends arrived late so we had to wait outside since the place's already full, which we didn't mind. What was unusual was the way they called my name when we were about to be sitted. The manager told me that we'll be sat with another group. I didn't bother reacting, I'm too hungry I might bite his arms off. 

Our meats to grill

My sukiyaki

My messy plate of maki and tempura

Yakimix has now included the unlimited drinks in their rates. Their drink selections include sodas, iced tea and fruit juices. 

On the Healthy Side...

Yes, you're still at dekaphobe.com :)

In case you haven't noticed, I do try to feature health restaurants (Yellow Halo Guilt-Free Kitchen, Pipino, ECHOcafe) or I try to feature healthy dishes from other restaurants. I confess that I'm more of a carnivore, though I try to add some fruits or veggies to my diet.

I'd like to share an infographic about how many calories you can burn with doing some physical activities, the calorie content of some food we love and how to increase your metabolism. Note that I didn't post this infographic to scare you guys, but to share something relevant in our daily lives. :)

Your thoughts or additional tips on this post will be greatly appreciated.

Budget Travelling: Airportview Pensionne, Puerto Princesa

Update: as of June 2014, Airportview Pensionne has transferred location and has changed its name to Airportside Inn. New address is 1 Gacott Road, Puerto Princesa City. Contact details are updated below.

For our recent trip to Puerto Princesa, we stayed at Airportview Pensionne Palawan. This is part of the travel package we got from La Tiara Travel & Tours. 

Based from my research prior to this trip, Airportview Pensionne is near the airport. What I didn't expect is that it was just beside the airport. According to them, it was 183 steps from the airport. :)

arriving at Airportview Pensionne

the garden 

our room :) 

Brotzeit Opens in Manila!

I was invited last week for the grand launch of the first Brotzeit Bier Bar & Restaurant in the Philippines, which is also the 10th branch in the world. Brotzeit comes from the German words, "Brot" which means bread and "zeit" which means time. It pertains to the traditional Bavarian expression for a small meal or snack that accompanied by fresh, pure beer.

Brotzeit was established in Singapore in 2006, offering authentic Bavarian cuisine and world-famous German beers. Aside from Singapore and Philippines, Brotzeit has locations in Malaysia, Vietnam, Hongkong, China and Taiwan. They will soon open a new outlet in Indonesia.

inside Brotzeit

Brotzeit has this laidback modern interiors, with leather benches and wooden tables, giving you a relaxing ambiance. An al fresco area is also available.

Affordable Japanese Food at Suzu Kin EDSA

Note: This location is already closed. 

A few months ago, I was introduced to this quaint Japanese resto in Kamagong Street in Makati called Suzu Kin. I was really impressed on how delicious yet affordable the dishes were. I couldn't be any happier when Spanky told me that we will be having a weekend lunch at their only branch at Quezon City.

Located along EDSA, the Suzu Kin sign isn't difficult to spot. This branch is actually the only franchise of Suzu Kin. Leslie, Suzu Kin EDSA's owner, shared that it took Mrs. Suzu Kin a lot of convincing because previous franchises weren't successful. The original owners were hands-on with helping them in the kitchen and were strict with all the food preparations.

inside SuzuKin

Compared to the Makati location, this place has modern Japanese-inspired interiors and high ceilings. Our group dined at the videoke room at the mezzanine. You can have the videoke room for at least Php 3500 worth of food.

it's videoke time!!! :)

Home Cooking 101: Easy Nachos

I have previously featured two baked dishes so for a change, I'll be sharing a dish that requires minimal cooking. :)

Most of the ingredients can be found at your own pantry or can be easily found at the groceries. Awesome to make especially when friends surprisingly visit you at home.

Yellow Cab Pizza's New Galapeño Tango

My kid brother and I love pizza. So whenever he requests that we have pizza delivered at home, it doesn't take much to convince me (unless I don't have cash.hehe). I remember the last time we got Yellow Cab at home, my bro took a bite of the Hot Wings, and well, you know what happened next. :P

I was happy that Yellow Cab Pizza recently introduced Galapeño Tango.

Galapeño Tango is a combination of Garlic Parmesan Wings and Jalapeño Potato Wedges, giving the tastebuds a dance of flavors. Galapeño Tango bundles are Php 345 for 4 pcs, Php 480 for 6 pcs and Php 880 for 12 pcs. You may also have each offering ala carte.

Galapeño Tango (12 pcs)

Galapeño Tango (4 pcs)

URBN Bar & Kitchen

What am I doing here?!?

First thing that came to my mind as I enter Urbn Bar & Kitchen. I haven't been here before, and it wasn't my usual turf.  But I was promised good food, so I was ecstatic to what Urbn has to offer.

Urbn Bar & Kitchen is from the owners of Relik Tapas Bar and Shawarma Guys (which I visited weeks before, will post my review about it soon). I've been reading lots of positive feedback about Relik so I was expecting a lot from Urbn. Urbn just opened last December 2012, but has been creating a buzz within the party scene.

inside URBN

The place is quite spacious, with two areas: one is the party area while the other area (where we were sitted) is more of a dining area.