Sunday, July 24, 2016

From North to South: Torch is now in BGC

2:58:00 AM 0 Comments
The first time I went to Torch is in its pioneer branch in Greenhills. I was actually checking out for tiles in Home Studio which is located beside it. Since it was almost dinner and I was famish with my then ex-boyfriend (now husband), we went to the nearest dining establishment. After that first encounter, Torch has become top of my favorite go to place for comfort food! I love the relaxed vibe and how the servers are very attentive also.

When I heard that Torch is opening in BGC and was invited to go try the crowd favorites there, it was automatic for me to say, "YES!"

Let me present to you the crowd favorites which were served during the opening.

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza

Very thin crust and crunchy with generous amounts of mozzarella cheese, cheesesteak bits, crushed tomatoes, onions and drizzled with cheese sauce. It might look big but actually, it's not enough for one because it's that good! I love how it's like nachos with its very thin and crispy crust but it's pizza with all the toppings attached. It's a whole different entity!

Since I'm still a breastfeeding momma, I wasn't able to taste the wines but my friend who was there told me that the pizza is so good with Torch's house wine. It gives the pizza a sweet finish that will make one definitely want more!
Philly Cheesesteak Pizza
Appetizer Sampler

2 types of Buffalo Wings, one is sweet and salty while the other one is spicy and sweet! I like how the wings are crispy despite having sauce glazed on it. The three sticks of chicken skin are TDF with its crispiness and add a little vinegar, you're in heaven! The three chili cheese crispers are so good despite its spiciness, you'll want more. It's like being drawn to this crunchiness madness that you'll want to eat everything again and again. The truffle fries are also very good that it mellows down the tingy spicy feeling of your tongue caused by its company.
The 2 types of Buffalo Wings up close.
Appetizer Sampler
Soft Shell Crab Salad

If you hate veggies, this might help you eat a bit of veggies for a healthy heart and digestion too! Don't be afraid with how the alfalfa sprouts greet you with a "Hello, we're veggies!" Dig deeper to the crispy soft shell crab and have some of the greens with grapes and mangoes. In one bite, you'll have a mixture of crispy, salty, crunchy, sweet and tangy flavors of all the fresh ingredients dancing on your taste buds. You'll suddenly forget that it's a salad and be tempted to dig up to have more!

Soft Shell Crab Salad 

US Angus Tenderloin Salpicao Medallion

It's as good as its name! The US Angus beef tenderloin is wrapped by bacon and grilled to perfect medium as what we have requested! The meat is very soft and juicy which I really love. It has so much flavor in it too that I think the gravy must be served on the side for those who'd like to put it on their meat. I prefer my meat bare with just salt and pepper. Anyhow, it's really good and I like that it's on a heated slab (with a lighted burner underneath) which those who'd like to eat their food warm, will love! Also, if you'd like your meat to be cooked a little bit more, just leave it on the slab!

US Angus Tenderloin Salpicao Medallion

Volcano Roll

This is one of my favorite dishes of all times in Torch since it has 2 of my favorite things: cheese and shrimp! Who wouldn't want their tempura rolled in Japanese rice and exploded with lots of cheese! Just look at its beauty in the photos I've captured below! Enough said and you be the judge!
Volcano Roll
Stacked like a volcano, each bite is worth a praise! The creamy, sticky cheese complements the rice and crispiness of the tempura! The sesame seeds on top also gives a bit of bursting flavor that makes you want to eat it slowly and savor the mix of flavors.
Oh yes, look at that!
Torch BGC branch is located in Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It's open from 10am to 12mn (good for a late night snack before going to bed! Haha!).

Saturday, July 9, 2016

5 Stops at Cucina's Weekend Fiesta!

8:39:00 PM 0 Comments
It's always amazing on how the weekend relaxes one's body, mind and soul but sometimes (maybe for me, it's a lot of times) the body, mind and soul want to be energize and excited with something out of the ordinary which one can only do on weekends!

With that in mind, I'm saying "Ola!" to Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's "Weekend Fiesta" in Cucina!

1st STOP: Seafood Station

The first thing I noticed in Cucina that first greeted us is their array of fresh seafood! There was a huge fresh tuna that was being carved by the chef for sashimi, grilling, baking or however you want it to be cooked!

Look at that big tuna! Can you see how clear its eye is? It's an indication of its freshness! Yummy!
Tuna sashimi
I was told by the server who accommodated us that Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is a part of the Sustainable Seafood Programme which a lot of local hotels are currently a part of. This means all the seafoods being offered were gotten from local fishermen to support their livelihood and of course, the fishermen are being paid with what's fair from their catch. What's available on the day that I ate may not be available when you go but rest assured that you'll have the freshest seafood of the day!
Fresh oysters
Elephant shell
Prawns
Different fresh fishes that are ready to be grilled
Blue marlin, Maya-maya and Tuna Fillet
Tuna Skewers with chicken and pork skewers
Salmon sashimi
Kani salad maki - It's like California Maki with extra crabsticks and mayo topped with ebiko!
Tuna Ceviche
Freshly baked elephant shell with cheese, chopped garlic and butter! I requested for this lovely dish!
The elephant shells were cooked perfectly so you can still taste its inherent sweetness with the goodness of cheesy garlic butter. It's so good that how I wish I can just keep eating these!
I love this personal sized Seafood Paella! It's super good!
2nd STOP: The Carvings

What's a fiesta without meats, right? So bring in the meats!

The Rack of Ribeye Steak
I requested for the part where the bones are and had them grilled! They are actually the best part because the concentration of flavors are there!
Despite eating the meat on the bones, I just can't help to get attracted by this wonderful looking piece of meat!
I had a slice and it's heaven in a bite! Soft, juicy, warm and meaty good!
Lechon Kawali
Look at that crispy skin that invites a bite!
Crispy Pata
Yes, look at that bubbly skin that's like chicharon and good with lots of vinegar on it.
Cochinillo
This is the real star of the carving! Say hello to crispy skin with soft, almost melting meat that's good even without sauce!
3rd STOP: Grilled Meats

Lechon Manok
I need rice with this! The meat is so flavorful and soft with hints of lemongrass, calamansi and good with liver sauce.
Inihaw na Liempo
It's my comfort food that's very familiar and a must eat because of its citrusy grilled taste! Soy sauce, vinegar & chopped garlic sauce, it's good!
I love how the other Filipino food were presented! It feels like I'm transported to a province that's having a fiesta!
Salted Eggs
I know this is not grilled meat but I love salted egg with rice and grilled meats! Don't you?
I'm so glad they have this as part of the buffet spread!
4th STOP: Noodle Station

This is the Asian Noodle Area with Vietnamese Pho and Egg Noodle for you to choose from.
Here's the array of pasta!
Focus on the Squid Ink Pasta. It's actually very tasty with marinara seafood sauce but I wasn't able to take a photo of my plate. Yes, I ate it right away! Ooopsss for that. It was THAT GOOD! So try it!
Truffle Mashed Potato
It's good as a side dish of the pasta. I know it's carb galore but as long as it's good, just go!
Boiled Marble Potatoes
Another favorite of mine with the pasta.
Well, it might look plain but it's also good when you have extra sauce on the plate! ;)
5th Stop: Dessert

It's a must to leave space for dessert! What I love about Cucina's desserts is they are very familiar comfort food that it's so difficult to say no to them even though you're full! Yes, it's that good and hits the spot of every sweet tooth.

Fruit Jalousie
Mango, custard on a bed of soft pastry.
Ice cream
Berries Cake

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Chocolate Crinkles
Chocolate Cake Pops with Chopped Pistachios
Caramelized Walnut Tart
Chocolate Tartlet
My avocado ice cream with an oatmeal raisin cookie!
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and say "Ola!" to Cucina's "Weekend Fiesta" with your friends or family! Fridays to Saturdays is P2,300 nett for lunch and P2,650 nett for dinner.

Diners can also opt to get their Iced Tea Buffet at P180 nett or a bottle of Fresh Juice of the day for P300 nett per bottle.


I tried their Apple and Carrot Juice which is not only healthy sounding but it's actually quite sweet. According to the server, the juices are sugar-free! Which means what I tasted is pure sweetness coming from the apple and carrot which is pure love! :)
Apple and Carrot Juice
Go ahead and call now for reservations or inquiries at (02) 720-7720.

"Suicide Incorporated" - A Dark Comedy that Raises Mental Awareness Opens July 15

2:44:00 AM 0 Comments
How can a theater company help raise mental health awareness by staging a play that tackles the theme of depression, suicidal tendencies and suicide itself?

Catch Twin Bill Theater’s eye-opening production aimed to shed light and raise awareness on mental health issues to its audiences in “Suicide Incorporated” - a 2010 tragicomedy by brilliant Off- Broadway playwright Andrew Hinderaker.
Andrew Hinderaker
Imagine a world where a company that edits suicide notes exists. Now imagine being part of that company. "Suicide Incorporated" centers around a company that makes money by drafting suicide notes. The business is Hallmark gone Wall Street, turning a profit by bullishly pushing its clients to perform the unspeakable. The CEO speaks, in an advertiser’s tongue, about cornering the market by targeting those suicide victims least likely to leave notes: Men. It turns out all these men are emotional mice when it comes to discussing matters of the self.

The show is directed by Steven Conde starring six topnotch actors coming from different theater backgrounds have bonded together to essay the pivotal roles in this dark comedy exploring the perils of depression, coping with loss, guilt and redemption,
 
Steven Conde
Hans Eckstein shall play the role of Jason, the newest hire of Legacy Letters, a company that prides itself in doing just that. He has an impressive back catalog of birthday cards 
           
Hans Eckstein
Jeremy Domingo plays Scott, the CEO and owner of Legacy Letters.
Jeremy Domingo
Bibo Reyes plays the role of Tommy, Jason's younger brother who, much like Jason, has some secrets of his own.
Bibo Reyes
Mako Alonzo and George Schulze shall alternately play the role of Norm, Jason's first client. 
Mako Alonzo
George Schulze
Chino Veguillas shall play the role of Perry, Scott's ever loyal employee and the office kiss-ass.  
 
Chino Veguillas
Produced by Twin Bill Theater, the company aims to produce shows that explore and challenge issues faced by today’s society. As its first official play for their first season, the founders led by theater professionals Joseph and Francis Matheu also noted that their goals are also focused on stirring up the public’s interest to rediscover, love and preserve our historical, cultural and spiritual values through theater; and to make quality, thought-provoking productions more accessible to the non-theater going public.

The artistic team of “Suicide Incoporated” are as follows: Steven Conde (Director), Ed Lacson (Set Design), Jay Pangilinan (Sound Design), and Joseph Matheu (Lighting Design).

The production team includes: Francis Matheu (Production Manager), Leoren Violan (Stage Manager and Graphic Design), Toots Tolentino (Publicity), Juliene Mendoza (Photography), and Kathleen Francisco (Marketing).

The playdates of “Suicide Incorporated” are as follows:
July 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 –   8 PM
July 17, 24 & 31 – 3 PM
JULY 30 – 3 PM & 8 PM

All shows will be held at The P.A.R.C (Performing Arts and Recreation Center) in 494 Lt. Artiaga Street, San Juan for ages 15 years old above due to strong language, and sexual references. It will be running for 1 hour & 20 minutes with no intermission.

Artist ? Doctor ? Engineer ? Businessman ? Lawyer ? Teacher ? Writer ? Man ? Woman ? Child ? Mother ? Father ? Grandparent ?

Mental health awareness is for everyone.  It's time to talk about it  And, it’s never too late to show you care !

Now stop imagining and get your tickets at https://goo.gl/bwsLkF, 0927-460-4652, or 0916-775-9374

To get updates on the show, check them on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/twinbilltheater or visit their website www.twinbilltheater.com or follow them on Twitter or Instagram @twinbilltheater.
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