Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: Outback Steakhouse

If you are a long time reader of my "Weekend Food Tripping" posts, you'd probably notice that I am not much of a steak eater and I don't order a lot of steaks because I am a fan of white meat and seafood!  That explains why I got to have allergies on the dishes mentioned above! 

I am not at all worried when I learned Outback Steakhouse is part of Manila's Signature Dishes 2010!  I have a husband to take photos for me and I have a husband who'll guide me in identifying the right kind of steak or how delicious steaks should get!

Outback Steakhouse started its operations on September 1997.  That was the exact year I graduated in high school and I remembered my friends going there for celebrations or simple get together!  

We weren't able to meet the Managing Partner, Dan Keven Co, because it was a busy Sunday night when me and the other food bloggers visited the restaurant.  I learned by reading his biography that Dan is a 13-year Outbacker, meaning, he steadily rose from the ranks to become a trainer, an international opening team member, key employee, Kitchen Manager, Restaurant Manager and currently, the Managing Partner of Outback Makati by the year 2007.  Talk about passion and you can definitely taste that in the dishes they serve!

Each customer gets to taste the in house bread served with butter as a complimentary appetizer!  Outback Steakhouse's Manila's Signature Dishes 2010 set includes a glass of Casillero del Diablo wine.

Soup of the Day - Creamy Onion

I like surprises, and the soup of the day is actually called Creamy Onion which I originally thought was Cream of Mushroom with cheese toppings!  Yes, I have no imagination at all!  *laughs*

My tongue won't lie though, at first bite, I can taste cheese, cream and strips of onions which was confirmed by the waitress and it was quite a nice surprise to the usual creamy soup offered in most restaurants.  Bear in mind that this soup is quite heavy so I prefer not to finish it all and leave room for main dish!

Crispy Calamari Salad

Crispy fried calamari drizzled with garlic aioli dressing and served over 

a mix of fresh romaine lettuce, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes.  

The calamari at first bite is not that crispy because it took us time to take photos before we finally took the plunge!  But the generous servings of Calamari matched the dressing, the fresh vegetables and it's very light to taste.  None of the ingredients overwhelmed each other!

Beef Tenderloin with 

Mustard Demiglace and Bearnaise

6 oz. of imported beef tenderloin medallion, seasoned and seared to perfection, served on a bed of mustard demiglace and topped with Bearnaise sauce.  Served with a side of oven-roasted seasonal vegetables and pesto garlic mashed potatoes topped with Parmesan shreds and thyme.

Cooked almost well done but the meat is actually soft to bite!  I don't have the need to keep on grinding my teeth as its so juicy it almost melts into my mouth!  The dish is best eaten with the Pesto overloaded mashed potatoes!  The oven roasted vegetables are sweet to taste! 

Desserts compliments from the Chef!

A miniature version of Mango and Kiwi Cheesecake, Thunder from Down Under Chocolate Cake and Banana cake with caramel made us look like kids opening up Christmas presents!  My favorite is the Mango and Kiwi Cheesecake while hubby's favorite is the super rich Chocolate Cake!  The rest of the food bloggers enjoyed the Banana cake so it's obvious that all 3 are winners!

Outback Steakhouse located at Glorietta 4, Makati has always been a wonderful ambiance for that gathering for friends or family who loves steak!  The ambiance is quite relaxed and servers are very prompt with your orders and always quick to attend your needs. 

Outback Steakhouse

Glorietta 4, Makati

Daily: 11:00am-3:00am

Tel. no.: (632) 729-8458/ (632) 729-8459

Most servings are good to share to take with you your dear friends and loved ones!  What else can I enjoy here aside from steaks?  I took a peak at other customers' orders *LOL* and seems like their seafood looks delish!  After 2010....need to burn more calories!  *hehehe*

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.

Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: Moomba Bar

When I was still in college, I've always heard about the restaurant Moomba when friends talk about "gimmick" place!  Aside from that, I've always heard it from my then boyfriend (now husband) Keith on how good the Ostrich meat that's been served in this restaurant!  

Would you believe I let all the positive comments a slide and totally forgot about this restaurant when it comes to food tripping until Manila's Signature Dishes 2010? 

Moomba seems to be around forever!  The term "Moomba" means "Let's Get Together" in Australian.  Most of the meals served are Mediterranean dishes.  The restaurant actually started its operations the year 2000 which marked it's 10th year this year!  I've met Chef Jimmy Jardiniano when we visited the bar.  Chef Jimmy's culinary background is quite impressive as he was once the Family Chef of the Lopez's for 5 years.  He used to be the Head Chef of British Embassy for 4 years and served 2 Ambassadors.  Worked as an Executive Sous Chef at El Nido Resort (my dream to visit resort) and a lot more on top of his plate!  He's been with Moomba Bar for 6 years serving great dishes for their loyal and new clienteles.

The Set Meal, made possible by Unilever, was chosen aside from being the restaurant/bar's best seller, the recipe is said to be good for health-conscious individuals (like my mom and dad) since ostrich has a lean white meat!

Deep Fried Chicken Rillet 

with Tomato Salsa

This is actually an original recipe you can find at the Moomba Menu, Chef Jimmy did a bit of twist with the lightly breaded chicken meat mix and served it as part of the set meal.  I find the crispers work perfectly with beer (not that I'm a beer drinker), the crunchy crispers together with deep fried Chicken strips with a hint of fresh tomatoes and corn.

Tiyan of Ostrich

and Julienne of Vegetables

Carefully marinated premium cut of Ostrich meat 

laid on stack of vegetable flavored with fresh herbs.

Served with root crop vegetables

At first glance, reminded me of McDonald's McMuffin!  But trust me, this is far way better tasting than any muffin out there as it's soft, succulent ostrich meat hidden below the bread looking mashed potatoes! I thought the mashed potatoes will be dry to taste because I'm used to having my mashed potatoes bathed with gravy! 

The ostrich meat served is very juicy, eaten together with the mashed potatoes is like pair made in heaven!  At the very moment I am typing this post, I was just telling the husband that I want to order this again!  Before the year ends!

Panna Cota with Mango Canache

A first time recipe made by Chef Jimmy!  Panna Cota for him tastes like regular Panna Cotas you may find in restaurants!  To make it more exciting, he added fresh mango concentrate with mix of raspberry!  The dessert is aesthetically gorgeous, tastes really good!

The restaurant ambiance is a winner in my dictionary if you're looking for a place to chill!  The huge open space can serve company functions, birthday parties, group dates or anything you may think of as there's always a reason to celebrate with restaurants that plays live music (there's a pianist playing wonderful songs by the way), Free WIFI, comfortable seats and couch with ample magazines for you not to be bored as you wait for your dining companion!

A view from top on the huge space on first floor

More couches and seats on the second level

Bar is also located in the second floor

The view outside, ample sparking space in front of the restaurant and at the side, there's another huge space for Moomba Bar's customers parking!

Moomba Bar

A. Roces corner Mo Ignacio Street

Quezon City, Philippines

Tel nos: (632) 373-2487/ (632) 371-1973

Operating hours: Sundays 5:00pm-1:00am/ Mondays-Wednesdays 11:00am-1:00am/ Thursdays to Saturdays 11:00am-3:00am

I am looking forward to try their Ostrich A La Pobre too!  Ahhh there's so much food to eat I just can't keep track on my calories!  (as if I count!) :P

Happy food tripping!  Go ahead and enjoy before the year ends!
 

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.

Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: Quattro Grill Bar Restaurant

When I have visitors from another country, choosing local restaurants is a bit stressful for me.  Don’t get me wrong, we have a lot of good Filipino restaurants out there but a lot of them serves fusion dishes!  Thanks to Unilever Food Solutions for creating Manila's Signature Dishes 2010 and I'm glad to be part of this as one Filipino restaurant, that I haven't tried, is included.

Quattro has been around 1999 but it's embarrassing to admit that I've never dined in this restaurant!   I actually never laid my eyes on this restaurant!  I guess I seldom go to the area or I wasn't looking closely enough!  The restaurant targets the people around Quezon City area who want to unwind in a very relaxed, comfortable place at the end of the day!

I was quite lucky to have a chat with owner Maan De Ocampo, would you believe this lady has been cooking as early as 3 years old?  From the simple hotdogs and fried eggs, she started cooking for home parties up to 200 guests!  She wanted to take up culinary course in college but decided to follow her dad's footsteps on taking up business.  

When her dad decided to come up with a restaurant, Maan was very hands on and opened up the restaurant on the year 1999 expanded twice by the year 2000 and 2006.  Another branch was opened at Dagupan and plans to open up more!

The restaurant has the feel of living in a province with a huge party celebrated for the whole barangay!  The place is packed with a lot of friends coming from schools or work chatting and laughing!  The restaurant is huge with an area for smoking and non-smoking!  Well ventilated with lots of beer and sizzling dishes!  Perfect to unwind!

Here's what we had for the night...

Fried Laing

"Laing" or Taro Leaves is a vegetable dish with coconut milk.  The twist of this appetizer is that it's wrapped and deep fried by Maan.  It was a first for both me and the hubby to give this dish a try.  It was actually 'newly invented' by Maan and I was quite lucky to have a taste of it before it gets to be included on the menu!  The coconut milk is not overwhelming to taste, everything was just right!  The perfect combination of this would be mayonnaise or you can just eat this as it is! 

One serving consists of 4 pieces.  Because of pictorial purposes (a.k.a forming a Christmas Tree), we just used 3 in this photo.

Japanese Chicken Adobo

According to Maan, Teriyaki is a crowd favorite, a lot of customers including herself wanted light meat for dinner that's why she chose Chicken Meat.  The dish has a nice punch to it, very flavorful yet guiltless! 

Looks can be deceiving, seeing a lot of red chili on the Japanese Teriyaki Dish is a bit scary at first glance but once I gave it a try, it's not too spicy at all!  The chicken is very flavorful as it was wrapped with a zing of Teriyaki sauce.  The outer crust has a bit of crunch to it and its best mixed with the fried rice that comes in this dish! 

Various Panna Cotas

Buko Pandan, Ube (Taro) and Langka (Jackfruit)

It is amazing how Panna Cota, an international dessert, can be made local with ingredients proud to be locally made!  With the same Panna Cota ingredients, adding up 3 different ingredients and topped with 3 different toppings gave a very distinct taste to each dessert!

My favorite among the tree is the Buko Pandan flavored Panna Cota.  Mr. AMW's favorite is the Langka (Jackfruit) flavored Panna Cota while our dining friend Arnel's favorite is the Ube (Taro) flavored Panna Cota.  This proves that each people have different taste buds but you can manage to please them all!

If you visit the restaurant, I suggest you try their other dishes like Baked Fish Fillet, Bibingka and Pititsan!  I will blog more about the dishes I've tried in this restaurant on a separate post soon!

More and more people arrive and I think the party starts as late as 10:00pm!  If you want a quiet ambiance, visit the restaurant before 10:00pm!

 

 

Quattro 

96 Timog Avenue,
Quezon City

Opens: 11:00am to 2:00pm/ 5:00pm to 2: 00am

Tel nos.: (632) 928-1681/ (632) 928-1692/ (632) 416-6079

Good service from the waiter and meals are served quite fast!  Well, except if you plan to order their special Bibingka, order as early as you can as most people have bulk orders which takes time for them to make your fresh Bibingka!  No service charge.  Restaurant accepts cash and credit card transactions.

Maan is yet to take up culinary course, but she is a living proof of how passion can take you a long way!  I want to thank Mr. Arnel Mercado, the Over all In-Charge, for accompanying us during dinner with great stories about food and restaurants!

Have you tried Quattro?
What's your favorite Filipino dish?

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 partnered 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.

Tip for the Day: All About Eyes

One of the most difficult product to review (in my opinion) are eye products!  The effects, both positive and negative, can sometimes be seen at a prolong period of time!

"Do eye products really work?"

The answer, is variable, depending on who you talk to.  Some may use the most expensive creams in the market and still cannot see any effects at all while others can purchase the cheapest eye cream in the market and the product could work for them!  

If you ask for my opinion, after years of eye products usage, it does work!  I can vouch on that with photos at the latter part of this post!  I cannot type down the products that work for me and assure everyone that it's the best in the market, we have different genetics and we are different, all I can do at the moment is to list down the top 5 products I've tried from the most inexpensive to the most expensive that works!  Bear in mind that the products mentioned here are only the ones I've used!  There are far more eye cream brands out there that I haven't used!  Research and read a lot...

1. Garnier Light Brightening Eye Roll (approx Php199.00/$4.00)

This is the most inexpensive eye product that works!  I've heard feedbacks from readers who told me that this product did nothing for them, but I got a chunk of readers who told me it worked for them.  In my own experience, this works for me especially on the first month, I can see the bags under the eye area decreased a bit but the reason why I stopped using this and gave it to my mom-in-law instead is because I am not seeing any results after the 2nd month!  My eyes probably got used to the product.  My mom-in-law on the other hand, finished 3 tubes of these and she loves this, she told me it works even better than her expensive eye creams!

If you are not allergic to anything with caffeine and you are on a very tight budget, you can give this a try, this is the best packaged eye product!  Quick tip: do not over "roll"!  It may cause stress around the eye area and cause more wrinkles or skin sagging!

2. GoodSkin Labs Eyliplex-2 (Php2,600/approx $56.50)

The most innovative packaging that separates day and night regimen!  The reason for this is that the day cream comes in lighter formulation and the night cream is more potent in texture.  I found myself using this more often because I don't want the day cream to finish faster than the other or vice versa that's why this gave me the push to use both day and night eye cream regularly!

The Eyliplex-2 works really well on dark circles base on my experience, puffiness did disappear but the  more obvious part would be the lightening up on the under eye area!  This is actually one of my favorite eye cream in which I recommend to a lot to my readers and friends!  Since I have the blessing of testing so many eye creams, I actually gave this up when my sister gave me a call and ask for good eye creams!  I did not think twice of letting this go immediately and so far, she told me she's liking this!

3. Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler (Php2,600/approx $56.50)

For anyone with issues on wrinkles or obvious lines around the eye area, this is what I would recommend.  I have used this on both mature clients and myself!  You can click the name of the product to go to my review on the said product.  The lines are immediately blurred out, but the real effect of line reducing takes a bit longer time approximately 1 month to 2 months!  

This product is quite tricky to apply, it can form dried up "glue texture" and may make it quite difficult to apply makeup!  The huge trick I can share is to warm the product on your hand first, then quickly pat it on the area where lines are visible, leave it for a couple of minutes before you proceed to your next skincare or makeup routine!  If you get through the tricky part, this is a very good product a lot of beauty bloggers love!

4. Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream (sorry I don't have the price for this)

When I had the worst case of eye allergies a couple of years ago, I was scared to use anything near my eyes for almost a year, the first eye product I've used and trusted was the one from Clinique and it was a sample size of Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream in which I got from purchasing the 3-Step System.  

What I like about this eye cream is the fact that it's easy to apply on the eye area, it gets absorbed easily as well and even if I apply this on both the lids and the under eye area, I don't have any allergies or irritations. 

The thing about this eye cream though is because it is too intensive, there is a certain amount needed to be applied on each eye, applying too much will give me puffy eyes when I wake up in the morning.

How about the effect?  The immediate effect cannot be seen, what I noticed though is the skin around my eye area is moisturized and not as dry as before!  The lines around my eye area did not deepen but it wasn't obviously gone!  

5. La Mer Intense Eye Cream (Php6,000/approx $133.00)

I know, this is very pricey!  But trust me, I tried my best NOT to love this product because I am not into expensive products!  I have to surrender though, this product --- WORKS!  I have tried 2 sample sizes of the old version called La Mer The Eye Concentrate, it works in the moisturizing department but the consistency of the old version is quite runny!  The new La Mer The Eye Balm Intense is creamier in consistency and the effect is seen as soon as one week!

The puffiness on my eye area decreased a lot and even if I sleep only 3-4 hours at times, it wasn't shown when I woke up!  Even Mr. AMW noticed the puffiness around my eye area lessened drastically and take note, I am only using a sample size of this!  The sample size lasts me 3 weeks now and I still have enough!  Imagine how long the full size will take you!

I recommend this for people who have problems with puffiness and has the budget! 

A photo of my eye from early this year until recent

Last photo (R) was taken within the week

Whatever eye creams you choose, do not choose just because someone says so, or just because it works for other people.  Purchase eye creams base on your budget, base on trying out testers, base on research and always check on the ingredients to make sure you are not allergic to it!  If eye cream brands do not have testers available, the least you can do is ask from a friend who purchased a certain eye product you wanted to try and maybe, pay a small amount for a sample?  Give it a test.  I suggest taking photos as the difference cannot be seen at once but if you have a photo, you will feel better!  I do take a look at my photos every now and then and it gives me a nice push to consistently use my eye creams because it does work!  It takes months or even years, but the result is obvious...again, pictures do not lie!   (You can click photo above to enlarge, photoshop was used only to crop, watermark and brighten up photos)

Do you believe in the power of eye products?
What's your favorite eye product to date?
Have you seen a huge difference after consistently using your favorite eye cream?
Tell AMW your thoughts!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: Caronia Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer

I always tote an alcohol spray inside my bag!  I have 2 small spray bottles that I carry all the time!  I include them in my "Unsung Heroes" list!  Here are 2 mini spray bottles I own that you can find inside my bag organizer...

A random small spritzer bottle with commercial Isopropyl Alcohol, the right one has scent from Amu'in.

Here's the thing though, when I do makeup on clients,I can easily spritz alcohol with tools like the "mixing palette", the mirror, tweezers, scissors, etc...  Would you believe I steer away from spritzing regular alcohol on my hand prior to makeup application?  Most of you probably know why.

My hands are on clients' face at all times during make-up application, most of the time, my hands are near their nose area which is quite embarrassing to have a heavy scent of rubbing alcohol right under their noses!  That's why I invested for sweet smelling hand sanitizer which led me to purchasing a couple from Bath & Body Works because they smell so good.  

It wouldn't hurt if I can find a less expensive version right?  I actually did, I found one locally at Rustan's for approximately Php45.00 (approx $1.00) as seen on photo above right beside Bath & Body Works.  Huge bottle, nice and simple packaging, it must be a Eureka Moment right?  Hmm, I can't seem to put it on that list because the scent of Tenderly brand is too strong it lingers until I finish make-up application.  If clients do not complain, well, the make-up artist (me) is definitely complaining!  I have a dog's sniffer so this one does come out too strong and it hurts my head!  *laughs*  Why would make my clients and my own nose suffer just to save up right?

(Note from author:  The strong scent is my personal opinion, I have friends who are using the Tenderly brand and felt ok with it) 

So I went back to Bath & Body Works and thought my hunt for good smelling + inexpensive hand sanitizer is over.  Well, according to Justin Bieber: "Never Say Never!"

A local nail polish brand Caronia, came up with their Hand & Foot Care range of products which includes Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer!   Is it a good and inexpensive alternative for pricey hand sanitizers out there?

Caronia Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer says ---

Keep your hands clean and hygienic all the time with Caronia Hand Sanitizer’s alcohol-based formulation fortified with germ killing agent, triclosan. Infused with Vitamin E beads which act as moisturizers, it keeps your hands soft to the touch. With its green tea scent, it leaves you feeling relaxed taking away worries of being infected with bacteria. Caronia Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer comes in handy in a 50ml tube that you can easily slide inside your pouch and use when soap and water are not available. 

Ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, Water, Fragrance, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Triclosan, Lactose, Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl, Methycellulose, C.I. 77289, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E).

AMW says ---
Pros

• Simple clear packaging which makes it easy to see how much product you have left.]

• A small amount is enough for both hands.
• No need to rinse with water and you can use this anytime, anywhere to disinfect.
• The hint of green tea scent is perfect!  I actually love it!
• The scent does not linger for more than 5 minutes!
• Hands do not feel rough or dry even after constant application.
• Contains Vitamin E which does not dry up your skin.
• Proudly Philippine Made!

Cons

• Not readily available worldwide.
• A bit watery or runny in texture which can be quite messy if you accidentally open up your cap when product are all accumulated near the opening.

Overall

I am quite impressed with this product!  Hand feels clean and there's no weird scent that lingers all throughout!  

Tips

• Please keep out of reach for children.
• If you plan to eat with your hands or lick your hands, it is better to wash off your hands with soap and running water!
• Stop usage when allergies or skin irritations occur.
• Not to use directly on open wounds or cuts.
• Try to tap the product prior to opening to cap to keep from messy overflow.

Will I repurchase?
Yes!


To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who prefers Gel formulated alcohol.  Though I prefer Alcohol in liquid form, I love to use this prior to make-up application to keep my client's face free from dirt transferring from my hands to their faces!

Where to purchase and how much?
At Watson's, local drugstores and supermarkets for Php54.00/50ml (approx $1.20).  Exact price will be written after I double check. 

Here's a photo to show the 'runny' texture of the hand sanitizer.  Has tiny Vitamin E blue beads which is really a few compared to the Bath & Body Works one. 

Thanks Caronia for coming up with a good and inexpensive hand sanitizer!
And I am glad they are coming up with more products and the Hand & Foot Care line sounds promising!  Will try them and give a review in the future!


What's your choice of hand sanitizer? Regular alcohol or the alco-gel version?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Product provided as gift, this post was written base on author's personal experiences, please purchase at your discretion)