Bizarre Bar’s Top-Rated Cocktail Celebrates Filipino Childhood

At the heart of Makati’s vibrant Poblacion district, Bizarre Bar has once again elevated its reputation with a cocktail degustation experience that transcends mere drinks—it's a heartfelt tribute to Filipino culture. The evening’s highlight, the ‘Ampaw’ cocktail, captivated guests with its fusion of traditional Filipino flavors and modern mixology.

For Bizarre Bar’s Beverage Director, Ian Libang, this dedication is deeply personal. The ‘Ampaw’ cocktail, named in honor of his mother, reflects Libang’s commitment to his roots and the bar’s mission to showcase the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines. By incorporating his mother’s cherished recipe into the final cocktail of the evening, Libang honored his background and reinforced the bar’s dedication to preserving heritage flavors.

Libang shared a touching childhood memory that inspired the ‘Ampaw’ cocktail. He reminisced about how his mother would make toasted rice treats from the burnt rice at the bottom of the rice cooker. “Every summer, when rice would spoil quicker, my mom would collect the burnt rice at the bottom to preserve it. She deep-fried it, sprinkled it with sugar, and served it on a newspaper cone. This practice was actually passed down from her father, as she grew up on a farm, ” Libang explained. 

Metro Ruins : Newest Resto Hub in Makati

Looking for a new place to hang out? Chill and enjoy the urban feel with thew newest Resto hub in Makati, the "Metro Ruins". Break out from all the streets of the city life and see the metropolitan view in a new light. Satisfy your food choices in this 2-in-1 restaurant spot featuring Yakitori Daitokyo and Dampa by the Ruins, a fusion of Japanese and Filipino cuisine.

Yakitori Daitokyo is a bistro that offers Japanese street food specially yakitori or grilled skewered food. Based on traditional small Japanese restaurants Yakitori-ya, a popular gathering place particularly for young people and office working on their way home.

Can You Eat Without Your Sight?

Let's say we all went blind for a moment, how would we feel. For us who use them from the time we wake up to the time we sleep, it seems that we never noticed the importance of our eyes. With a lot of things going on around us, and how sight enhances our experience. The colors of the environment, the warmth of the tones and how it can also affect us emotionally and physically.

In eating, vision plays a big part with the presentation and colors of the food boosts appetite. It would be easy to say that it would not be a big deal, however to be at that situation where everything is absolutely pitch black is scary. Zoomanity Group, one of the leading companies in the park industry, recently made a unique and meaningful food event called Dinner In The Dark. These were held in various venues of Zoomanity parks and partners. I was able to attend one in Yakitori Daitoktyo in Metropolitan st., Makati.

World-renowned Pastry Chefs Open Pastry and Bakery Academy in the Philippines

World-renowned pastry chef Jean Louis Arnaud leads a group of acclaimed international chefs in opening a Philippine branch of the region’s top pastry school - the Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts Philippines - this August 5 in Makati City.

The educational institution that they are establishing in Manila is a sister-school of the Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia, which Chef Jean co-founded with premier pastry chef Niklesh Sharma. Another branch of the school was recently opened in India. Incidentally, this year, Chef Jean is one of the judges for the World Food Expo (WOFEX) competition here.

Chef Niklesh, the Academy’s managing director, shared that many students , including Filipinos, go to Europe or the United States to undergo pastry training, where the courses can be very expensive.

Food Stops: Akira The Art of Teppanyaki and Sushi

Japanese Restaurants here, there and everywhere. What used to be rarely seen in the metro is now a common cuisine trend here in the Philippines. And with so many restaurants offering a common menu, it would make the Japenese experience quite boring nowadays. Now how do we spice up the experience and level up the taste and flavor of the well loved Nippon delicacies. Akira The Art of Teppanyaki and Sushi can live out to that.

FOOD STOPS: Baja Mexicana Cantina

Si! If one is stuck, there is nowhere to go but BAJA. Derived from the Baja California which is actually part of Mexico, the restaurant of takes pride with bringing Mexican cuisine to the  country. It started when Art, who was part of the biggest loser Pinoy Edition came to the country from the US and was craving for Mexican food which was his favorite  back in California, decided to start his own Mexican restaurant in Greenbelt 3 because he was not satisfied with the other Mexican restaurant that got that authentic flavor.

The restaurant stayed true with it Mexican cuisine, and in fact they also deliver to movie goers in Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, so it is a great deviation from the popcorn and drinks. Also the feel of the restaurant brings the ambiance of the west cost Mexico which Baja California is located. They have all the favorites like Burrito, Tacos, Nachos, Fajitas, and drinks like Margaritas and Mojito (which I can say is the best Mojito I tasted so far, but since we dined at lunch time, I have to control myself in enjoying too much of the sweet drink). For our highly recommended, I have to say that the burrito had won my heart and I hope it will not kill me, well just as long I don't eat it in one sitting. 

And you will also be surprised with (what I think) is the biggest Burrito I have ever seen in the Philippines. It can feed a family and a group of friends. It's also a great place for dates and afternoon chillin' with co-workers as it is near the Makati Business District. Plus just a few steps away is the Greenbelt Cinema, so it can also be a great place to meet up before and after the movie.

They also celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Baja Mexicana Cantina, and it is the time that they offer great deals on food and drinks. Mexican food and culture has become so closer to the Philippines. So grab your sombreros and lets have a great Mexican time at Baja Mexicana Cantina ! 

I love everything burrito- Jake the Dog

 Here is the menu:


Basket Fries

Carne Asada Fries
French fries served with sour cream, guacamole, cheese, onion, tomato
Large 275.00 Regular 195.00


Nachos Supreme
Corn tortilla chips served with sour cream, guacamole, cheese, onion, tomato


Cheese Quesadilla
With chips and salsa 175.00
Crave
Had this

Chicken Quesadilla
Marinated chicken with melted cheese in a flour tortilla 185.00


Spicy Chicken Quesadilla
Spicy marinated chicken and melted cheese in a flour tortilla 185.00


Steak Quesadilla
Marinated steak and melted cheese in a flour tortilla 195.00

Super Grande Burrito
Chicken, beef, Mexican rice, beans, tomatoes, cilantro, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream 395.00


Veggie Burrito
Rice, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla

Macho Steak Burrito
Carne asada beef, rice, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, wrapped in a flour tortilla 255.00

Veggie Burrito
Rice, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla

Baja Fish Burrito

Makati Street Market: Thriving with Makati’s Dynamism

How can an urban street market flourish and become a must-visit destination for city goers with varied tastes? 

The generous dollop of hard work and the exceptionality of the dining and shopping finds do count, as evinced by the continuous success of the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati. For seven consecutive years, the weekend street souk—a must-visit stop in a dynamic city spearheaded by propitious entrepreneurs and artisans—remains a place where international cuisines, organic finds, hand-made products, green items, and local products can be found. Complementing the array of lifestyle possibilities in Makati, the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati evidently showcases more of what Makati has to offer.

FOOD NEWS: Domino's Pizza Opens at A. Venue!

Makati is getting busier by the day and fast and convenient food is a must for its residents, and at A. Venue Makati a new branch of Domino's Pizza just opened  catering to its hungry nearby residents of the Makati Central Business District, Rockwell Center, Guadalupe and even in Mandaluyong. They also offer Pasta , Chicken and Desserts and also have combo meals available. So far this is the 5th branch of Domino's Pizza since its re opening last year under a new management. Other branches are in Marvin Plaza (Chino Roces cor. Herera St. Makati), Silver City (Fontera Verde, Pasig City), Molito (Alabang-Zapote Rd.), SM Center Las Pinas (Zapote Road, Las Pinas City). They also have a 30 minute guarantee for delivery (conditions apply).  For Deliveries for this branch you may call 795-3030.  Like them on their official facebook page and follow them on twitter! 

We had a taste of their pizza selections like the MeatZZa, Domino's Deluxe, Potato Pizza, and Margherita. And they are also best when ordered with coke products.

A new place to have pizza takeouts or even dine in.

Potato Pizza

MeatZZa

Margherita

Domino's Deluxe