Hatch 22

I had a few days stay in Manila and had the opportunity to try this cafe at Rockwell Mall Hatch22.

It was OK, it really didn't give me that WOW experience on food.

The place was quiet small. I am naturally claustrophobic, confined places and people sitting close to me makes me feel so uncomfortable. The tables and chairs are very close to each other that you can hear the secret conversations of the table next to you.

I admire the customer service though as the waiters were accommodating and flexible when it comes to adjusting to their guest preference. I love restaurants that know's how to adjust to their guest needs. They don't get locked out with just what's on the menu.

NYOB (not your typical eggs benedict)

Like for example I ordered NYOB (Not Your Ordinary Benedicts) which consists of freshly baked rustic muffins, portobello mushroom, sous vide eggs, Italian ham, chilli orange hollandaise sauce.

I am Pescatarian, I don't eat meat but does eat fish. So I asked the waiter if the chef can change the Italian ham to salmon for my Eggs Benedict, and he agreed. Some restaurants won't.

The NYOB (Not Your Ordinary Benedicts) came and it's totally opposite from its name because it taste like any typical eggs benedict.

My mom tried the Hatch Farm Omelette that has country ham, smoked bacon, tillamook cheddar and monterey jack cheese inside the omelette along with spicy pork sausage, potato haystack and toast.

Again the dish was OK, very typical but I love the presentation and serving size though. My mom wasn't able to finish it as they use 3 eggs for the omelette. Very filling.

As for their coffees I tried the Hatch 22 blend for americano. It was OK.

We also tried the Bread Basket #2 as what they call it. It consists of pandesal epi, pan de month, Spanish bread, chicken empanada, ensaymada, queso de bola butter and hot tsokolate.

BREAD BASKET #2

I love their bread basket!! One thing I enjoyed at Hatch 22 are their freshly baked breads. My favorite is the Pan de regla with the funny red color coconut inside. (I don't know how they made it red though, must be the food coloring). Beautiful taste.

My humble suggestion with the bread basket is that the hot tsokolate is very thin. I was expecting a thick, creamy and native local hot coco but it's not.

And the waiters could have reiterated the Queso de bola butter while serving it because otherwise people will just assume it's just an ordinary butter.

I tried one of their craft cocktails named inner child. If I remember it well, it's made of Rum, almond syrup etc.. It's OK. Nothing special. I still prefer the cocktails at Niner Ichi Nana their sister company where the baristas are more enthusiastic in making unique cocktails.

Rating this restaurant from 1-5. 

5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest, I think I will rate it as 3. Because I still find it a typical median cafe/bakery. 

But their freshly baked breads is a must try though.

I CHALLENGE YOU TO BE DIFFERENT…BE UNORTHODOX

MONTE CARLO BEACH CLUB in ABU DHABI

Do you know that what happens on your weekends or off days affect your performance at work? Studies have shown that a person with a constructive off the job life is always  more successful than the person who lives in a dull, dreary home situation. 

Many refreshing activities done on your off day gives you plenty of psychological sunshine that keeps boredom locked out. 

My humble suggestion is to get out of your shell and do something different every now and then. Be unorthodox.  

I recently arranged a different meeting place for my book club. We usually have our meeting at a coffee shop. But since my new principle is be UNORTHODOX, I suggested we held our book club meeting at Monte Carlo beach club. We all got very excited for the meeting because we all broke patterns that are usual and expected.  Even when I was still at work, I was already looking forward for our book club meeting. New place, different activities but same people who have big ideas that doesn't talk about work but only on our spiritual lives and our growth.

I went straight after my flight and because I was tired, I was craving for a refreshing cocktail that is sweet, with a touch of refreshing citrus and mint perfect for drinking on the beach so a MOJITO suddenly comes to mind.

You see, I drink Mojito every now and then to different bars. Some mojitos are more bitter than usual, some are just sweet and nothing else but the Mojito at Monte Carlo Beach Club in Abu Dhabi is just perfect. Not too bitter and not too sweet nor icy just the perfect blend with a touch of mint. You won't even feel that you already have a buzz (feeling tipsy) by the end of your drink. Its like killing you softly.

DELICIOUS MOJITO at MONTE CARLO BEACH CLUB

If you want something "desserty" kind of cocktail head down to SHO CHO in Shangrila Hotel, Souk Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi. They serve great Japanese food and a fabulous bar scene in a ultra hip setting. 

SHO CHO in Shangril Hotel SOUK QARYAT AL BERI in ABU DHABI

My favorite cocktail that I would definitely go back to is their Peanut butter chocolate Margarita. Amazing peanut butter taste with an Alcohol. I know it doesn't taste well with sushi but lets go back to being UNORTHODOX here. 

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE MARGARITA at SHO CHO SHANGRILA SOUK ABU DHABI

So let's go back to my suggestion of having a healthy psychological environment.

1. Circulate in New groups especially with people who have different proffessions. Become an expert in understanding people is a requirement to success. Restricting yourself to small group produces boredom, dullness and dissatisfaction. Having a wide variety of people adds spice to your life and is a good mind food.

2. Selecting friends who have different views from your own. In this modern world, a narrow individual doesn't have much future. Associate with the opposites. If your a Democrat, make sure you have friends who are Republican or vise versa. Get to know people who have different religious faiths because it gives you a better perspective about life. We need to be able to see the different side of the coin. But be sure they are a person with real potential. 

3. Select friends who stand above petty, unimportant things. Guard your psychological environment. Select friends who are only interested on positive things, who breath encouragement into your plans and ideals and those who really want you to succeed. Because we do meet people who are more concerned with the things we have or don't have and these conversations are more inclined to be petty.  

What is your definition of a good cup of HOT COCO

Some like it icy cold, some prefers it to nibble, some like it mint or with almonds but I would rather sip it HOT… Thats how wide variety we can mix and match our dear old CHOCOLATES…Sometimes I wonder it must be just only 0.1 out of 99.9 percent of people in this earth does not like any kind of chocolate. They must have some food allergy to it for them not to like it. But those 99.9 percent of people LOVES IT.

80 percent of you must be like me, prefers a full bodied, thick, nutty and semi sweet hot coco. If that is the case, this one is for you.

So what is your definition of a good cup of hot coco? For me, just like an expert drinking wine, I made my own characteristic of a GOOD CUP OF HOT COCO. 

I like it thick and rich (full bodied), Dark, semi sweet and nutty. If all those characteristics are met, then I am holding a WINNER..haha 

Why do i like it thick? because that is when you will feel that the taste of the chocolate.

Why do i like it dark? because the darker it gets, the purer it becomes. (my personal opinion) Compare it with a cheap powdered hot chocolate, no matter how many powder you put in a cup, it is still so light,  the color doesn't get dark, it just get SWEETER. Why? because 80 percent of those cheap hot coco brands are made of sugar, not chocolate. 

Semi sweet and nutty (optional)… I like it semi sweet because if it gets too sweet, I won't finish the whole cup. I like the feeling after a good cup of hot coco, you would actually want MORE, maybe a second cup? If it gets too sweet, you would feel like you are ready to die of diabetes. That is why SEMI-SWEET is just perfect.

Nutty because i love peanut taste. But most pure hot chocolate have a nutty taste and i adore that nutty taste.
  
 What's for breakfast?

Since we are busy people who doesn't like complicated stuff. I want to share with you how I make my perfect hot coco.

I personally do not like powdered hot chocolate but if you must have one for easy use, try Ghirardelli double hot chocolate (which you can only buy in the US) or head down at Jones D Grocer if you are living in Abu Dhabi and they are selling a chocolate powder named ITALIAN THICK HOT COCO, it taste amazing, just like the hot chocolates in ITALY in the comfort of your home.

 Anyway I have the Ghirardelli hot chocolate now available, so i boiled one cup of water in a pot, and put 2 Sachets of GHIRARDELLI hot coco. (This brand is good because even if i put 2 packs it gets darker NOT only SWEETER) Then I added 1 TBSP of REESE's Peanut butter in a pot. STIR till boil. Put in your favorite cup. VIOLA ENJOY! The simpler it gets the better.

 HAPPY BREAKFATS! haha 

German Food in Manila: Prost Braumeister

I have been to different places but whenever you say Germany, it always reminds you of beer. I had the opportunity to fly back to Manila last October and I had the sudden craving for German food and beer. I find it weird I know. A self confessed  Pescatarian suddenly had the craving for a good old German Sausage (filled with real meat, pork and beef is definitely inside those sausages) plus a tall glass of German beer perfect combination after a long day or night (in my case) of work.

I was not in the mood to dress up and wants a casual ambiance. But where? Where in the world will I find an authentic German restaurant in Manila? Good thing I still keep in touch with a German friend of mine who happens to be based in Manila and (who lucky for me) is one of the owners of this German Pub in the Fort; PROST BRAUMEISTER. He invited me to try it although he had a business trip to Singapore that day, he just endorsed me to one of the main owners of the bar named Dom Hernandez.

Celebrity Hunk Sam Milby being one of the owners of this German Pub

I should say, I really made exemptions that night to eat pork.  Dom was very accommodating to me and my mom and he knows that a hungry person's need is to be fed well. He ordered for me their best sellers. The Bockwurst (very juicy and tasty) best with mustard (350PHP), Truffled cream pasta (320PHP), The Artichoke Flammkuchen flatbread (for pretentious vegetarians like me) plus 2 tall glasses of a Paulaner beer. 

I noticed that the waiters were very attentive to their guests needs. Ambiance is relaxing, casual perfect for an after work hang out for beers and dinner although the place is quiet small, expect to have small spaces in between tables. But customer service is excellent in that place.

I had small amount of time spent there but i will definitely come back with friends to try their DUCK FAT FRIES.

 Perfect place to hold  small parties and get togethers. If you want to experience German Food or even haven't tried one go to PROST BRAUMIESTER at the Fort, it is the new "IT" place to be. 

PROST BRAUMEISTER is located at FORT POINTE TWO BUILDING, 28th street (known as THE FORT STRIP) Bonifacio Global City, Philippines. Call them at 02 8283940

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The Salted Egg Vegetable Corn Soup

       We all need to break out from the NORM as what I have said in my previous article. 

Gone are the days where the only food that we know how to cook are spam and eggs. 

Gone are the days where the only dish that we know how to serve our guests at home are "CHICKEN ADOBO". (This famous Filipino dish that is my least favorite although there is nothing wrong about it mind you)

Being Creative, Experimental and Wild when it comes to cooking is a favorite hobby of mine (feeling sorry for my guests at home that they have to adjust to my tastebuds). 

I like it when it is easy and uncomplicated as I don't have time to do the complicated stuff as I am a working woman. The little time honed in making a good meal THE BETTER for me. 

Lets leave the complicated meals for the CHEFS or our Mom's cooking as they seem to enjoy it so much (big respect for them).  

I personally don't enjoy sautéing garlic and onions so I skipped that part as well BUT I still end up have a tasty meal and this recipe that I am going to share to you is one of my favorite meals.

Powder CORN SOUP

This soup is one of my favorites. You can get them in Manila or if you have other corn soup flavor, you can use that as well.

What I do is... PUT the RAW BROWN PASTA (you can use white pasta as well depending on your choice) and FRESH VEGETABLES (of your choice) in one large POT.

Let it boil for 10-15mins....

Leave the boiled water, pasta and vegetables in the POT and put the KNORR SOUP powder.

STIR in low heat until the powder from the SOUP dissolves.

Once it becomes creamy from STIRRING for 5-10mins put in a bowl. 

ADD the SALTED EGG (can be bought in MANILA) on top. If you don't have SALTED EGG you can use BOILED EGG.

THEN VIOLA!!! 

ENJOY IT WHILE IT'S HOT. 

SIMPLE FOODS and SIMPLE RECIPES puts a BIG SMILE to a working woman like me who embraces simplicity and uniqueness in their meal.

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

BREAK OUT FROM THE NORM

What you did are just "expected"! These are the words that are still fresh in my mind when I was still starting out in a company where I am currently working right now. I was presenting an idea to my boss about the work that I just did and then she just told me "What you did are just "expected"!! OUCH!!!

 I couldn't seem to understand the word yet "expected" back then, when in my mind I did a great job. I even felt that I have done them a great favor.  I deserve a trophy. 

Now everything is so clear to me that being "average" is not cool. Doing what is "expected" is never enough. We have to break free and be creative. OUTSTANDING is the new standard nowadays.

Outstanding in food is the new standard. Give me something that is not expected, and that is something worth trying. 

When will I get an invitation from people to have coffee, not in the usual Starbucks or Coffee bean but to have coffee in a VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT where they serve this delicious vietnamese coffee that "WOWed" me all the time because of the balance combination of sweetness and bitterness of a perfect cup of coffee. 

My friends or even my mom get surprised whenever I invite them for coffee in a Vietnamese restaurant. Not in your typical Starbucks where having cappuccino or a latte is already "expected". My advice is to break free from the norm, be adventurous. You'll never know what you're going to get.

Hot Vietnamese Coffee with Condensed Milk

Cà phê sữa nóng = COFFEE MILK HOT (VIETNAM)

I love having my VIETNAMESE COFEE in ABU DHABI at HANOI RESTAURANT opposite NBAD, Khalifa street AL Markaziya, ABU DHABI. Tel: 02 6261112
                                          and 
LE PETITE CAMILLE Greenbelt 5 mall second floor, Manila Philippines.

HALF and HALF

COFFEE HALF and HALF

         When you get to Manila, I beg you to be adventurous. Head down to Illy Coffee shop in Rockwell mall and order the COFFEE HALF and HALF. Its a good combination of illy espresso, liquid chocolate, liquid sugar and Ice Cubes.. WOW....It was my kind of taste in coffee. If I am only in Manila now, I will have it almost everyday.

THE TALLEST LEMON MERINGUE PIE

TALLEST LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Why don't we break free? Let us not have coffee or even brunch at MUGG and BEAN in Abu Dhabi for a change. Let's share a BIG SLICE of this TALLEST and BIGGEST and FATTEST Lemon Meringue pie I have ever seen so far. The taste is WOW as well, it went beyond its presentation.


SPECULOOS of HAAGEN DAZS

I came from Paris last month via Etihad and AirFrance, and this ice cream flavor of Haagen Dazs is a stunner. Melt it a little bit and your eyes will close already from its goodness of this peanut butter ice cream. I remember sharing it to all my crew this lovely dessert just to see if they will also close their eyes at every bite!haha and they did! because it's the best flavor of ice cream I had so far that you will only find in First and business class of Etihad Airways and Airfrance Airline coming from PARIS. Don't ever miss this one!

THE BEST COMBINATION IN A YOGURT DRINK

LYCHEE GREEN TEA YOGURT DRINK

I just had this from our Cafeteria this morning because of my fervent curiosity of trying out new things. I am looking for a unique drink that will satisfy my hunger as a healthy morning snack. AL AIN Lychee Green Tea yogurt drink is a winner. Loving the combination of Lychee and Green tea I am now heading to the grocery store to hunt this flavor of yogurt and I do hope you get to try this.

Everyone wants to make a difference. But only a few stands out. Let us be adventurous and break out from the norm!   

WHERE TO HAVE SNACKS IN MANILA with a LOCAL TOUCH

PLEASE DON'T INVADE MY PERSONAL SPAAAACCCEEEEE......This is what I shout out in my mind whenever I am in a crowded place. I am a natural claustrophobic. Sitting too close with people makes me feel so uncomfortable. Because of this, it affects my choice in choosing restaurants ESPECIALLY where I drink my cup of COFFEEEEE!!!

You know I adore coffees. But it sometimes bores me to drink it at home, so it is just smart to choose the right coffee shop to spend you're precious afternoons. I was in Manila for a vacation and of course sitting in coffee shops for a long chat is always part of the agenda. It just relaxes me doing so (I'm sure you can relate to me on this one my dear coffee drinkers)

Le Petit Cheree in Molito Alabang with my dear old professor in college

But what makes a coffee shop perfect for me is their vast selection of coffees or teas for that matter that offers some SPACE and PRIVACY among its customers (where people won't hear each other's businesses) and also some added bonus of a FREE wifi. I couldn't reiterate more the part "FREE" because most of the good things in life are free.haha  

Next it should have that "WOW" taste in my afternoon snack with a touch of some local flavor into it.

So where did a dear local girl like me from Manila spend her afternoon coffee break?

Tea Leaf in BF Paranaque along Aguirre street. 

    Do you know that it is becoming a fad in the Philippines to have this Bubba tea (pearl tea), that has all kinds of flavors and they offer some coffee flavored teas as well with a "black pearl" in it. I love the coffee shop because it offers a "FREE WIFI" (couldn't reiterate that more) and since it is not yet so popular, it is not overly crowded. Luckily it was just me and my mom who was there.haha

      But I love their Nutella bubba tea (CHOCO NUTELLA mixed with TEA plus black pearl) beautiful sweet nutty taste that is filling because of its black pearl in it.

      The place is very cozy and comfortable, if you like the homey feeling and that you need to have some wifi while sipping you're "unique" kind of tea then this is the perfect place for you.

       It won't strain your pocket because it has the same price as your Starbucks coffee, at least it includes the privacy and space that you need. 

TEA LEAF in BF Paranaque

If you have a sweet tooth like me and likes to have some sweet snacks and happens to be traveling in Manila my fervent suggestion is to try the Chocolate EH! at Fely J's and the local TURON in that same restaurant. 

Turon is a local delicacy made of fried banana spring roll but the one at FELY J's has a twist of UBE (purple yam) and Durian. 

While the Chocolate EH has been my constant favorite because in the Philippines we are known and proud of our local hot chocolate, that has a different taste from the imported hot chocolate. Its creamy, nutty, thick and less sweet. It comes in an espresso cup and I warn you that you might have a second cup which happens to me all the time. One cup will never enough.

It is a heavenly treat for me and I love spending my afternoon breaks to have my Chocolate EH and Turon.

FELY J's GREENBELT: 2nd level Greenbelt

Turon and Chocalate EH

Do you like FRENCH MACARON made in Paris? We also have our own version of a Macaron with a Filipino touch. I do encourage you to try it and pair it with your Americano coffee. My favorite flavors are PANDAN and UBE (PURPLE YAM). You can find the shop at SINFULLY by MAKATI SHANGRILA at Greenbelt 5 2nd level.

 I do prefer the purple yam french macaron though at Le PETIT CHEREE in MOLITO ALABANG 

FRENCH MACARON of SINFULLY by Makati Shangrila in Greenbelt 5

UBE AND PANDAN MACARON

Knowing where to go, where to eat is very important whenever you travel to get more of your experience. It is an added bonus when you know friends in a certain place but what if you don't? 

No don't "ask google" about it but engage with the people who lives there, because that is where you'll know best and might gain friends along the way. 

HOW DO LOCALS EAT

I'm a traveller by profession and I love the consequences that goes along with it. I am constantly on my suitcase and being away from my family and friends is already given that is why I am constantly on social media and created a blog site to constantly keep in touch with friends and family from around the globe. Being exposed to different cultures from all walks of life has led me into a conclusion that we do have something in common in all of us, and that is our passion for eating and drinking.

Eating and drinking together is a form of camaraderie, and one cannot deny that we all enjoy great food and drinks. But part of knowing one's culture in one country also means knowing thy food, so in my everyday travels, I always ask the locals where they love to eat and drink because their priceless advice is something one cannot find even if you "ask google" about it. 

I avoid too commercialized restaurants as most of the time they don't give me that "wow" experience that I am looking for. 

So join me in my journey around the globe looking for that WOW restaurants, WOW local food and WOW drinks that will give you that memorable experience that you can tell back home to your family and friends.