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My friend and I had a lovely dinner at Nanbantei of Tokyo a few weeks ago. I always pass by this yakitori place whenever I'm in Greenbelt by I haven't visited this place before.  We were seated near the grilling station, where you can watch your food being prepared.  While waiting for our skewers, we were served complimentary veggie sticks, to be dipped in miso sauce. 

Note: This restaurant is already closed.  You know you're in the right place when the restaurant is packed way before dinner time.  Steak-Off Grill is an open-air grilled steak place located across SDS Hospital. More than a month old, Steak-Off Grill is drawing large crowds until late night.  The menu is straightforward with 3 types of steak: T-Bone Steak (Php 149), Porterhouse (Php 189), and Tenderloin Steak (Php 249). Each steak is served with rice and gravy. The choices for sides are limited as well.  Porterhouse

I have just obtained my first visa: a Japan Tourist Visa . :) Applying for a Japan Visa (specifically 1-B Tourist Visa with no guarantor) isn't difficult, as long as you secure all the necessary documents.  All Japan tourist visa applications must go through accredited tour agencies. See the list of accredited agencies here . I applied through Reli Tours & Travel Agency in SM Megamall while my friends applied through Discovery Tour Inc in Makati.  Here are the documents I submitted: 1. Philippine Passport This at least 2 blank pages and should be in good condition (no damage on the lamination, pages, etc). 2. Visa Application Form You may fill out this form and print this out once accomplished. Put NA on blanks not applicable to you. 3. Photo 2" x 2" (4.5cm x 4.5cm), white background. Paste this on your Visa Application Form. 4. NSO Birth Certificate I got a copy of my birth certificate from SM Business Services

Last Friday, my friends and I witnessed the amazing one-night-only Cocktail Festival with Matthias Giroud at the Buddha-Bar Manila . Matthias Giroud, the Chief Bar Manager of Buddha-Bar Worldwide, demonstrated 8 cocktails he created himself. A few guests were lucky enough to be served the cocktails personally prepared by Mr. Giroud.  Here are the cocktails he prepared that evening: BB World Fusion Concoction. When Japan Meets The world. 1. Japan Mexico Tequila-infused Japanese tea-flavored cherry blossom, yuzu juice, and Japanese sake syrup 2. Japan Brazil Cachaca-infused Jasmine green tea, plum mix, lime juice, agave syrup, and sparkling Japanese sake 3. Japan France Cognac from France, yuzu juice, honey, and homemade Japanese smoked tea soda

Note: This location is already closed.  Our cravings for Japanese food brought us to SumoSam Legacy at The Podium.  Based on my research, the "Legacy" brand is exclusive to SM Premier Malls. There must also be a difference with the menu. Also, The Podium is the first SumoSam Legacy location.  I wasn't feeling quite well so I quickly requested the complimentary hot tea. The stone container looks beautiful. 

Ippudo Philippines has introduced a new kind of ramen that will excite your taste buds: the Miso Akamaru (Php 450), a limited-time offering starting April 15, 2015.  What makes this ramen different from the classics is the thick and wavy noodles, the flavorful combination of 3 types of miso with Ippudo's signature tonkotsu broth with a slice of torched rolled chashu.  Miso Akamaru

Note: This restaurant is already closed.  My workmates and I went to BGC for an awesome night out, but before we headed out for the late-night, we had a sumptuous dinner at Salo , located at The Fort Strip.  Salo is a popular spot for dinner and drinks after office hours. This Filipino restaurant replaced the space Shawarma Guys was formerly located but has retained the take-out window for customers who liked to stay at the alfresco area.  Since we were a group of six, we decided to have the Salo-Salo dishes which is good for 2 to 3 pax.  I requested for my favorite, the Gising-Gising (Php 75). Gising-Gising The serving was more than what I expected, and the taste wasn't disappointing. I loved the amount of heat put in it. 

Note: This restaurant is already closed.  I'm a huge fan of sushi. I never miss having sushi wherever I can get it, in buffets, Japanese restos, homemade sushi by friends, FamilyMart, etc. I wish having sushi would be more convenient for me.  What fun when I was invited by Wasabi Warriors to try their first Philippine location at the Gramercy Residences in Makati City. Wasabi Warriors is an Australian sushi chain with a green heart, with locations in Australia, UAE, and Hong Kong.  In support of the future of the Philippines, Wasabi Warriors sources organic ingredients from local farmers and suppliers and as part of their recruitment program, collaborate with local youth organizations in assisting the social and professional integration of young adults living in extreme poverty. Moreover, daily leftovers are donated to a local foundation to minimize food wastage. Wasabi Warriors Gramercy location is the first location to have a sit-in area, the majo

Note: This location is already closed.  It is not a secret that I love chicken so much , and I haven't met a fried chicken that I didn't like.  That's why the inner fried chicken goddess in me screamed for joy when I finally got to try the popular Taiwanese fried chicken chain, Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken .  Hot-Star Philippines menu Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken's menu is quite simple, but I haven't tried anything else but the Large Fried Chicken variants.

Experience a Buddha-Bar Manila evening like no other when Matthias Giroud, Chief Bar Manager of Buddha-Bar Worldwide flies in for a one-night only cocktails feast called Cocktail Festival with Matthias Giroud on April 17, 2015. The metro’s most sophisticated restaurant-bar-lounge promises the ultimate cocktails night with the visiting mixologist concocting an array of great cocktails and demonstrating the techniques he has acquired and honed through the years.  Guests get to taste Matthias’ special cocktails and new mixes for Php1,000.  Discounts will be given to students and teachers who wish to watch a master mixologist at work, creating magical concoctions that inspire awe. Constantly experimenting to up the ante in the art of mixing drinks, Matthias Giroud never fails to leave audiences amazed with his unparalleled cocktail creations. By nature, mixologists resemble artists, skilled not only in creating blends of flavors that complement each other perfectly but m

Summer has arrived! It's the best time to bond with family and friends, and create delicious treats to cool down from the heat.  Here's a new product that will surely make dessert-making easier: Dolci Coffee Jelly . Dolci Coffee Jelly is a ready-to-eat coffee jelly made from coconut gel and roasted coffee beans. 

Note: This restaurant is already closed.  My friend and I went to The Podium for lunch and looked for a new place to try, and we found Shitamachi Japanese Chashu House .  Chashu is the marinated pork belly, the main ingredient in most dishes on the menu. For the appetizer, we had the Katsu Chashu (Php 225). Katsu Chashu I liked that it was served very crispy, but maybe I wasn't used to thin meat for katsu. I wouldn't mind eating this with rice though. :)