Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: BluFish Contemporary Coastal Cooking by Red Crab

Me and Mr. AMW visited BluFish right after a whole day of makeup gigs.  I was looking forward for a very fulfilling and relaxing dinner before I call it a day.  We arrived at the restaurant an hour earlier than dinner time, I think it was around 6:00pm at that moment and we were able to take a shot of the unique ambiance.  

The "feel" of the restaurant is very important for us when we talk about dining experiences.  We prefer restaurant ambiance that's quiet, comfortable and not over the top.  I am not into bright lights against my eyes as I chow down my food!  BluFish passed my "ambiance" standard as I comfortably looked around the place while I wait for my food.

Pans hanging on top of us are quite unique against the blue colored graffiti walls which reminded me of Little Mermaid's "Under the Sea". 

I have a little secret to share, when it comes to dining, me and Mr. AMW always have this issue of ordering!  We just can't make up our minds and we tend to ask the waiter on each dish and its ingredients or how it was cooked.  I am very happy to announce as I flip on the pages of their new menu, each dishes were photographed and labeled!  Yay for stress-free ordering!

For the said day, we did not stress out on what to eat as we had the chance to try on....

BluFish Contemporary Coastal Cooking by Red Crab
Manila's Signature Dishes 2010 Set

Iced Tea

I cannot comment much on the iced tea as they tastes similar to a lot of restaurants I've tried!  I personally do not have sweet tooth so I prefer adding more ice or cold water on iced tea!  I can seriously hear my friend complaining how she dislikes my "unsweetened" drinks!  :P

Mediterranean Salad

I prefer salad that's quite refreshing to taste rather than heavy on the tummy!  I like to enjoy my main dish and Vinaigrette is definitely my choice of dressing.  Olives, Grapes, Tomatoes and Cheese were tossed together with fresh lettuce.  There's a tiny hint of wine on the dressing but it must be just our imagination!  I must be too tired and wonky!  *laughs*

I have to add that the cheese is quite unique as compared to other restaurants I've tried, it was very soft in texture, imagine hardened tofu!  I actually like it that the cheese did not overpower the taste of the whole salad!

Pepper Spiced Tenderloin Tips (PSTT!!!)

When I see the word "Pepper" in any dish, I try to steer clear and run to the opposite side.  I am not a fan of peppered anything!  With the PSTT served at BluFish, I like how I can still taste the tenderloin tips and the tiny hint of pepper complimented it.  I have to say, I chewed down on the onions and pepper too!  This is my favorite dish of the night!

Moroccan Sea Bass with Vegetable Couscous

I was told by Leo Vergara, Marketing Manager of The Red Crab Group of Restaurant, that the Sea bass served in this restaurant are all cultured to manage the high demand of the said fish!  This meal can be served baked or steamed and tonight, it was served steamed.

The Sea bass served in this meal tastes fresh and none of the hint of bitterness especially on the belly part!   I have to admit, it was a bit 'new' for my taste bud but after several tries, I am getting used to the taste of vegetable couscous together with the natural flavor of  fresh sea bass.  It was a first for me to try couscous with eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, onion, pepper mixed with all the right herbs and spices!

Couscous" is considered in between the family of pasta and rice.  Its texture, taste and look leans to the "rice" family more in my opinion!

How did we find the dish?  Embarrassingly, here's what happened to the poor Sea bass at the end of the night!

Here's how the restaurant looks at 6:00pm ...

And here's how BluFish looks outside around 7:30pm.  The place was starting to get busy and I'm glad we went there early! 

BluFish

Contemporary Coastal Cooking by Red Crab

Ground Floor, Eastwood Mall Veranda,

Eastwood City, Libis Quezon City

Tel. no: (632) 900-0886

We did have attentive servers that night, but I don't count the services done to us but I've looked around on how they serve other customers beside us, waiters are quite knowledgeable with their dishes and I've realized that most customers dining in here knew what they want the moment they stepped in the restaurant!  Saw a lot of crab dishes!  

Credit card and cash payment accepted.  

Thanks Mr. Leo Vergara for accommodating us with all the dish explanations and stories amidst the super busy night!  Thanks to UFS for making this possible and Nuffnang for helping me out with the dinner schedules!

Have you tried BluFish at Eastwood Mall Libis?
What's your favorite dish there?  

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Unilever Foodsolutions (UFS), being the preferred foodservice business partners among restaurateurs, felt the need to acknowledge notable restaurants who are developing Manila as a culinary city.  They have partnerered with select restaurants within the metropolis in coming up with signature dishes.  UFS has synergized with these restaurants, both through dish development and promotion campaign for these signature dishes, in achieving one common goal: coming up with a different culinary experiences that provide value for money and culinary memories for diners.  

 

If you're a restaurateur (or an aspiring one) and in need of help in coming with your signature dish, call (632) 588-8855 or email at foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com.

AMW Reviews: "Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream"

I have so many requests on the new Maybelline BB Cream.  To be honest, I have it in my stash for quite some time, well, gazillion years to be exact,  but I just cannot put it to test.  Why?   Well, the shade just doesn't seem right on me! After constant requests from dear readers, I've finally used this and found ways to really use this outside the comfort of my home!  

"Malakas kayo sa akin!" (Indirect translation: You guys are super important to me and I'll try to do my best in helping you guys out) <--- hmm, that seems way longer than expected!  *lol*

Finally, my thoughts on one of the most inexpensive BB Cream to date....

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals 

Instant Skin Perfecting BB Cream

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream says ---

The Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB cream moisturizes, protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB with its SPF26 PA++ sun protection. It has an oil-free formula and relies on 8 minerals to rejuvenate the skin.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Simple yet effective packaging!  Best BB cream packaging is the squeezy-type tube as you can squeeze out product until the last drop!

• No weird smell.
• Very inexpensive!
• Gives light to medium coverage
• Great in covering redness or skin discoloration.
• Gives a slight "Brightening" effect.
• Controls the oil especially on the sides of my nose!
• For matte lovers out there, this BB cream gives a nice matte finish!

Cons

• Lacks the range of shades we all want.
• A bit watery in texture which makes it a bit messy if you accidentally squeezed a lot!

• Does not have as many functions as other BB creams in the market but what the heck? This is super inexpensive!
• Not moisturizing enough especially for dryer skin individuals like myself. (click photo to enlarge to see dry spots, note that I did not moisturize just for the sake of review)

 

• Will create "white cast" on photos if applied too much! (so be very careful!)

• Not readily available for our non-Asian countries friends!

Overall

For someone who wants to try BB cream minus the hefty price and to some, the long wait of online shopping, this is a good product to start with.  A good BB Cream if you are looking for light coverage and covers facial redness!  I find this works best on Normal and Oily skin!  Dry skin like myself can still use this but it pays to moisturize the skin first prior to BB cream application!

Tips

• Separate moisturizer is needed prior to this BB cream application if your skin tends to get dry.
• If you think Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB cream works for you but only the shade is not right for you, I suggest you practice on piling up a thin layer onto face and layer with a powder foundation to "correct" the shade. (Use lighter foundation if the BB cream is too dark on you, use darker foundation if the BB cream is too light on you)

 

• Carefully squeeze a tiny amount of product to start with.
• Use clean fingers and warm up the BB cream on your hand before you apply it on your face.

• You can choose to use a stippling brush if you don't want to over apply!
• Do not panic if you look grayish right after application, wait a couple of minutes by doing other stuffs (ex. drying your hair, washing your butt..LOL)  and come right back and apply your preferred liquid/cream/powder foundation! (Photo below shown the BB cream blending much better to my skin color).

• Cleanse your face at the end of the day with a good makeup remover because this can stay onto your skin!

Will I repurchase?

I find it a bit too tedious for me to always try to match the shade on my skin with a foundation!  I would recommend this to other people though!

To whom do I recommend this to?
For people with normal to oily skin!  Of course, if your skin color fits the BB cream shade, lucky you!

Where to purchase and how much?
At local Maybelline counters for Php299.00 (approx $6.95). 

The amount of Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream 

I've used for my entire face

Before and After photo applying nothing but Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream.  As seen on photos below, it evens out my skin tone and creates a very matte finish.  It looks a bit lighter in person but I have ways to darken the shade of the BB cream.

I dusted my whole face with MAC Mineralized SkinFinish Natural in Dark, using very light hand strokes!  Be careful to even out the whole face!

I want to make myself look a bit more 3-dimensional in this photo, using the same MAC's Mineralized SkinFinish Natural in Dark, I used it as blush for a nicer cheekbones!

*Note: Sorry for the very tired look on photos above, did this after a long day at work! :)

I hope my review is still useful, I know a lot of you have purchased this, do let me know how much you like/dislike this!

By the way, Maybelline have their year end 30% sale!  I am not sure if this BB Cream is included, but do check out the counters and see if you can score great deals!

Happy Shopping!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Revlon Age Defying 2-Way Foundation with Botafirm Review

I've been a powder foundation user for quite some time because aside from feeling so light on my skin, I like it that it's low maintenance!  I can just apply my face powder inside the care without mess!  

Years ago, when I was searching for a drugstore powder foundation targeting the mature individuals like myself, I've seen the sleek, red packaging from Revlon and I actually walked away because I was worried how it'll cake on me or how it'll dry up my skin!

When it's fate, it's fate! 

AMW Reviews: GoodSkin Labs Tri-Aktiline Total Face Instant Line Reducing Moisturizer

Who knows the song "When You Say Nothing At All?"  Oh my goodness, to all Ronan Keating fans, do not kill me after reading this post!  Let's all sing together with lyrics quite related to what I will be reviewing today...

Anti-Wrinkle Cream singing:

"The smile on your face let's me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes (age is showing) saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best, (referring to people who are saying you look old) when you say nothing at all...(agree! it hurts when people say you look older than your age..OUCH!)"

Seriously, I am getting more queries regarding anti-wrinkle creams, anti-aging products, or whatever products that opens up the fountain of youth!  I guess people nowadays are embracing the "prevention is better than cure" tagline! 

A couple of months ago, I've reviewed an Instant Wrinkle Filler product months ago and who would have thought the same company would come up with another interesting innovation?

GoodSkin Labs

Tri-Aktiline Total Face

Instant Line Reducing Moisturizer

Tri-Aktiline Total Face says ---

Tri-Aktiline Total Face Line Reducing Moisturizer is an all-over facial moisturizer that offers the anti-aging benefits of Tri-Aktiline but is formulated especially for use on the entire face. Tri-Aktiline Total Face Line Reducing Moisturizer was developed to meet consumer feedback for a companion product to Tri-Aktiline that can be used as facial moisturizer with the original wrinkle filler to fight even harder against visible signs of aging.

• Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler's exclusive groundbreaking Gatuline/Kombuchka/Argireline complex helps relax the look of facial lines - fine lines and deep wrinkles.  Over time, it visibly smoothes wrinkles and boosts skin natural collagen production for long term results.
• Phytomatrix 100, GoodSkin Labs' latest revolutionary resource, helps strengthen skin's structure and promotes new levels of firmness and elasticity.
• A multi-emollient formula, specifically designed to complement Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler, delivers daily high-performance hydration and helps moisture bond to skin isntantly and over the long term.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Easy to squeeze tube which makes it hygienic and easy to control product usage.

• Made from recyclable packaging.
• Handy, can be brought anywhere you go.
• No weird scent.
• Creates a nice, even base and foundation does not set in lines as much.
• Moisturizes skin at a certain extent.
• Absorbs to the skin quickly.
• Does not feel heavy or sticky on skin.
• Found this product to be great as "dry lines filler" and it does not create dry patches at all!
• I can use this to pat on areas that turn out dry even AFTER makeup application!
• Spreads easily over skin.
• No skin irritations or allergies.
• The whole tube can last half a year or more even on morning and night usage as a little goes a long way.
• Product is good for 24 months once opened.
• If you are a makeup artist like me, clients feel special when you whip out a product targeting their skin concerns! (I actually have one client planning to purchase this!)

Cons

• This is not enough for dry skin individuals! 
• No SPF, extra steps are needed.
• Not for people who are looking for super quick and instant result.  This takes time and constant usage!

Overall

It may get confusing to a lot of you why GoodSkin Labs would create two products under the Tri-Aktiline line both targeting lines and wrinkles.  To clear things up,  The Total Face is used to prevent future wrinkles or lines formed on your face by delivering moisturization on face.  The Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler on the other hand targets existing lines and wrinkles for long term reduction.

I was told that these two products are best used to target all concerns of fine lines and wrinkles.  

Tips

• If you have the budget, you can purchase both the Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler and Tri-Aktiline Total Face.
• If you can only purchase one, I suggest you get the Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler first as the results are more obvious and it targets on the deeper fine lines and wrinkles.
• If you are only focusing on wrinkle/fine lines prevention, then purchase the Total Face Instant Line Reducing Moisturizer.
• Always apply with clean hands and dry face.
• You can choose to massage the moisturizer all over the face and apply more on areas where fine lines or wrinkles tend to appear.
• If you own the Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler and use this product together with the moisturizer, make sure to apply the areas used with the wrinkle filler with a patting motion.
• This is applied prior to your moisturizer and sunblock.  If your skin is moisturized enough, you can proceed to applying sunblock directly.
• Whatever you apply after the steps above, make sure to do so in patting motion so as not to disrupt the line filling polymer.
• If applying SPF is too much step, you can opt to use Foundation with SPF.
• You can mix this product with your favorite cream or liquid foundation for that extra moisture.

Will I repurchase?
Yes, I don't use this as often as I want but it's a nice product to have especially on clients!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who wants to target on prevention on wrinkle or deep lines formation. 

Where to purchase and how much?
GoodSkin Labs products are exclusively available at selected Watson’s and SM Department Stores in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Tri-Aktiline Total Face Moisturizer 50ml retails at Php2,600 (approx $60.45).

White textured cream-like texture

Once blended well, it creates a thin shield of moisture

No instant and visible lines reduced

Tiny amount of product applied on left portion of my forehead, 

concentration on applying more on areas with obvious lines

Used this product alone, no moisturizer, no foundation

I've also tested this on my clients and I am actually keeping this product for clients instead because it works quite well!  I like how easy it was to apply the foundation without having it sets in her lines or wrinkles!  

Note from author: I've tested this product at the back of her ear while I do her brows, be careful as some may be allergic to certain ingredients.

Another note: I've used concealer and the right type of foundation so client looks differently on  the after photo.

*whew*  Would you believe there was a power shortage in between this post?  *ugh* thank goodness for the quick typing skills I got ! :P

Do you think it's too early to use anti-aging products? 
Are you starting to use one and how young are you when you started it?

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

(Note from Author: Product was sent by company for review purposes.  The writer did not receive any kind or form of payment for positive reviews.  The review has been done base on personal experiences.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

AMW Bulletin: Paul & Joe, PartyGal Lingerie

Dear Philippine Readers:

Here I am with more "bulletin board-like" news!  Christmas season is one busy month especially my mailbox!  Here's what's happening and I hope it stirs up your interest!

My favorite brand Paul & Joe invites you to meet the makeup artists Paolo Maranan and Isabel Arches to learn about beauty tips!  There will be cocktails, sweet treats, prizes and 25% off sale on all items!  

Be there at Rustan's Makati from December 17-19, 2010 and RSVP Ms. Maan Perez 0917-833-8339.

PartyGal Lingerie, who recently launched their gorgeous lingerie collection last October launched a very sexy and playful lingerie line last December 6, 2010 called Love Me Lingerie and Playtime. 

If you have friends who are getting married or if you are into purchasing lingerie ranging from cute to sexy to playful,  it's the best time to head on to their site http://www.partygallingerie.com.ph and you can type in the code "Askmewhats" for that extra free complimentary sexy gift if you purchase something on their site!  The gift can range from stockings to thongs to sexy accessories (subject to availability).

Take advantage on their their free shipping bonuses as shown on photo below! 

HO! HO! HO!
It's great to be a bearer of good news!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(The author is in no way affiliated to the companies mentioned above, this post is for information and money saving purposes!)