Mega Fashion Hall - Home of International Style and Cuisine

When SM Megamall decided to make use of the space that they have to serve as a home for new shops, who would have thought that it would be a place to mark the map? From there the Mega Fashion Hall was born.  A home not just for fashion but also to the reinstated skating rink, the IMAX theater and especially to the international food selection that they were able to bring here in Manila.

Last May 19, Sm Megamall, along with the Mercato Centrale Group and Our Awesome Planet, presented the very first mega food tour to selected bloggers.  Faced with 15 food store to visit,  this is one night of gastronomic proportions.

5 floors.  15 food establishments. From sweets to signature dishes.  This is the moment when the word diet is forgotten and you ready your mind, tongue and stomach for what is in store for the night.

First on the list is Cinnabon.

Bathed in cinnamon, sugar and their signature glaze; baked into perfection, the cinnamon rolls will come to you freshly baked and smelling good.  Be sure that you get to eat it while it is hot to fully enjoy it.  Once cold, you can still enjoy its flavor but trust me the experience is different.  Right now, Cinnabon offers new flavors to enjoy.  For me, the original cinnamon roll is still the best.  A classic!






All flavors personally created, Bono - Artisanal Gelato is indeed a treat!  From chocolates to fruits, from malt to sake, from nuts to ginger spreads, Bono is a gelato experience worthy of your time and palate.  My recommendation:  try the Mango Sake and Speculoos!
Similar to its breadspread namesake, which I personally love, the Speculoos is truly a delightful flavor to try and consume.  If you want a kick to your regular fruit flavor gelato, then you should try Mango Sake.  A perfect combination of 2 different flavors plus it has a kick due to the sake.  You will love it!  I did then and still do up to now.

Hot Pork Buns

Tim Ho Wan

Want some Hot Pork Buns?  Tim Ho Wan is the place to go to!  If you are a regular in either Singapore and/or Hongkong, then you are familiar with this establishment.  Hot Pork Buns, Dumpling Teochew Style, Machang, Cold Barley Water and Jasmine Tea was the items served to us.  Dumpling steamed to perfection.  The machang was good. The buns . . .the pork buns . . .the hot pork buns . . .PERFECT! Once you get to taste this item, then you would know why they have the Michelin Star. 

Looks like a darker coconut water  in terms of color, but the Cold  Barley Water  is more. One of those things that you would say "looks can be deceiving".  It's cold, sweet and definitely refreshing. There is one thing that I have discovered when drinking their jasmine tea.  Add some barley water to your tea and you have a sweeter and more delicious jasmine tea.



KPop lovers and chicken lovers, this one is for you.  True to say that there is already one here in the Philippine market, but you haven't tried the original Korean fried chicken yet.  Philippines, please welcome the creator of the original fried chicken from Korea, Kyochon! Their resto's interior is designed similar to that in Korea.  Relax and casual dining with and in style.  With 4 types of chicken cooking at its best; once you have tried one, you will try all.  My preference, the spicy flavored chicken.

Chez Karine is a pastry and sweets haven.  Their selection is a fusion of French-Asian flavors.   Definitely a must to try is their Muscovado Royal Pudding.  It's a treat in a jar!  Think of it like your regular flan but the flavor is definitely more than that.  When eating this treat, you have to make sure that you get to have part of the muscovado syrup in every spoonful.  The pudding iis delicious by itself but with the muscovado syrup, it is brought to a whole new level.  Sweetness level just right.  Pudding is soft and velvety rich.  This is indeed a treat not just for the kids but also for the kid's at heart. 

Want to know how the English spend their time after during mid-day? They have tea!  With scones, french macaroons, chocolates, quinches, small sandwiches and tea, of course. With The Frenchbaker, Salon de The, they added in some chips and chicken lollipops with parmessan to the normal tray of treats. The chicken lollipops is rich in flavor due to the parmessan cheese. Teas offered are jasmine and blueberry.  Take the blueberry.  It's fragrant, sweet and smooth.  No bitter taste, meaning its good tea.  Now that is good tea time all the time.



After the 1st floor of the Mega Fashion Hall, we then proceded to the 2nd level.  Nearing the original Building B of Megamall, there stand this kiosk that is so Frenchly inspired.  It is like a candy shop with its soft minty green stripes over white.  Well, this is not a candy shop but it is definitely a shop for those with a good sugar craving.

Started with the love of baking, this small home business is now reaching far and wide.  With planned expansion and good business management, Custaroonery by Gigi Gaerlan is something that you would love.  It captured the hearts of some of us on the spot and is capturing the hearts of some more after the tour.  Macaroons plus custard, who would have thought it possible? The smoothness of a custard countered point by the texture of a macaroon.  The result, a product that is new, innovative and definitely has a place in the market.  Comes in the classic flavor, cheese and what they call poppers (balled custaroon rolled in chocolate powder), it is up to you to choose which one to say as your favorite or it could be all.

Presently, the 3rd floor houses a good set of restaurants.  From asian to spanish, from burgers to adobo, from classic dishes to new food creations.  The 3rd floor is a food treasure and haven for sure. Home for Osaka Ohsho, Boqueria, Abe, 8 Cuts  and Lugang Cafe.  5 restaurants that would give you a tour of flavors from Asia to Europe and America.

Osaka Ohsho is the home of the world's No. 1 gyoza.  To those who doesn't know, gyoza is the Japanese version of a Chinese dumplings.  The original flavored gyoza is good but we were all faced with the question of the "Where is the cheese?" when served with the cheese gyoza.  How you imagined a barley water is, beer like color but lighter in flavor, how it is presented in this restaurant.

The next restaurant houses two talented and charming Spanish chefs, Chef Javier and Chef Daniel.  Boqueria.  Personally, I find this restaurant cozy, charming and has sophistication in its interior.  The food . . .the food . . .the food . .. 3 words to describe it, rich, authentic and divine.  I have tried this restaurant for quite some times and have simply enjoyed every dish served. Me gusta comer en este restaurante.  Las comidas son muy rico en sabor , entonces muy delicioso!




Abe is the home of Kapampangang cooking at its best.  I am not that familiar with the cooking of the North but they definitely got my vote when they gave us a sampling of their Lamb Adobo.  Soft meat with the rich abodo flavor that is typical Filipino, this is a sure winner.  Plus you get to control the heat of your meal.  Served with a cooked whole local pimiento (siling labuyo), it is up to the customer if he wishes to totally mix it with every bite or disregard the spice.  Your pick, your enjoyment! Definitely a place worthy of a 2nd, 3rd and even more visits.

Next stop is a chance to learn more about the different part of meats that can be used in your burger.  8 Cuts is a haven to burger afictionados.  The displayed sandwiches looks good but I really don't know for sure cause it wasn't served for tasting.  What was served to us was some patty cut for tasting.  If I were to choose, the Ox Blend is the one for me.  Word of advice, if you are presenting your product and service to a possible consumer, may it be an individual or a group, don't serve them something that looks like dog food. I have no idea how your sandwich dressing taste like, just your meat and only your meat.  A sandwich is composed of fixings (vegetables and the likes), dressing or spread, meat and the bread.  You may have the best meat in town but what if one of your sandwich component doesn't taste right to a costumer? Research may have back you but I personally don't know your claim.  This was a moment for me to try your product and service but your establishment didn't gave me that chance unlike the rest.  Would creating a slider be that hard?     

From a disappointing experience, I was delighted with the presentation and service of the next restaurant in the list,  Lugang Cafe.   Having experienced their service a couple of months back, Lugang Cafe still bears the same efficiency and courtesy to all their costumers, paying or not.  Treated to samples of  Pork Xia Long Bao, Prawn Puffs, Olafs and Mango Panacotta, plus coffee brewing that is science in your face.  The whole experience is indeed a delight! The Olaf, seasoned inards, is simply divine! We even had a walkthrough on how to eat the Pork Xia Long Bao.  A dish that is simple but complex in flavors. The coffee service is a new entry in their line.  The style of brewing and beans are pure Middle Eastern.  A delight to behold when being prepared and a wonder to the senses when served.

The 4th level is the home of Viking's.  This is their newest location so far.  They are known for their international flavors and buffet service, Viking's is one of the best place to be with family and friends.  To be assured of a good sitting, make sure that you have made a reservation 2-weeks prior to your intented dinner date.  Sure you can simply come in as a walk-in customer but you have to wait and you will be surprised with the number of people willing to wait for their chance to dine inside.  We were treated to a sampler platter consist of what this place has to offer.  Sampler it may be but it still bears the flavor and variety that Viking's has to offer to the public.  It was my first time to step into Vikinng's, that night and I wasn't disappointed with what was served.  It was delicious, mouth-watering and a perfect reflection of what they are as a store and a leading buffet restaurant in the metropolis.

On the 5th level is where you can find the last 2 food stores that we were set to visit that night, Pinkberry and Lucca Bakery.  One that specializes in frozen yogurt treats and another for their mouth-watering breads and pastry creations.

Pinkberry offers a wide range of frozen yogurt creations.  You can choose any flavors available. From the original frozen yogurt  to the flavored ones.  Its healthy, refreshing and delightfully yummy!  With various toppings also available to enhance your yogurt experience, Pinkberry offers their recommended creations to satisfy whatever craving you may have for the day.  They have the perfect components of a healthy post meal closer or even a mid-day treat.  Frozen yogurt + fresh fruits + other possible toppings, Pinkberry is a winner in my book.





Closing the night of food adventure is Lucca Bakery.  Treated to their Bianca Mocha with a Banana Walnut  and signature coffee,  Lucca Bakery was the perfect ending for the night.  The coffee, to be exact, is the perfect closer.  The treat was a delightful teaser of what the bakery has to offer.  For someone who knows his way in the kitchen, this bakery is one of the recommendable sites there is in the market.  Right texture, sweetness and flavor combination, they mean and spell business.



That night was indeed a night to remember.  A night filled with flavors so rich and true to their store name's and commitment.  A gastronomic adventure that is near to be out of the normal proportions.  The Mega Fashion Hall is truly a place of international flavors.  Flavors not only in terms of clothes and fashion but also of food.  It offers a wide and good variety of food selections.  From sweet creations to savory dishes, this is one location to stay in the map in the food industry.  A location and experience that is truly above, under and beyond the rainbow.