Miyerkules, Nobyembre 25, 2015

Food Review: My ERSAO TEA MOMENT - My 1st Visit and Its Grand Launch

Foodie moments are always fun. You get to meet again people you may or may have not seen for a time or meet new ones instead.  My foodie moment with the “new” Ersao Restaurant was a fun. 


With their grand opening last November 23, ERSAO TEA MOMENT at SM Southmall was born. The concept of the tea moment has taken roots when the managing family decided to step-up the usual joint.  From the standard fastfood place it is now elevated to a place where you can dine in style and comfort with family and friends.  Aside from dining in comfort and style, Ersao Tea Moment assures you of food flavor that you would love and enjoy in every visit; simply being true to the thrust that they have committed to themselves and to the consuming public.


What does ERSAO TEA MOMENT has to offer?

Taiwan Black Tea
Being true to being Asian and real Asian dining, I strongly recommend the Taiwan Black Tea as your starter drink and even your companion drink as you dine.  It is not like your typical black tea that has either a bitter or a semi-unsavory after taste.  This one has an underlying sweetness that would make you think of pandas eating the sweetest bamboo leaves ever. No strong after taste, simply mild black tea flavor that cleanses your palate.

ERSAO TEA MOMENT offers you Taiwanese Fusion food.  Yes it is the classic East-meets-West theme with an interesting result.

As of this moment they are introducing a new food item and I do hope you get to enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed it: the Fried Tofu.  It is tofu coated and fried to look like your everyday potato fries but once you get to taste it, you would love it!  The crunch from the breading gives it added personality that makes dig it for more.  This is a near guilt-free fried snack or munchies! Ask for light soy to serve as your dipping sauce.

Fried Tofu

Sausage Dip and Chips
Sausage Dip and Chips is a scream!  The moment it lands on your table and you get to sniff its aroma, that same aroma is then translated to your brain into screams telling you to: “EAT ME!” and trust me when I say you will definitely follow your brain at this moment.  The dish is made out of fried wanton wrappers acting as the chips and the sausage dip is basically chopped authentic Taiwanese sausages with garlic and green pepper slices. 

It terms of dumplings, you can choose from either of the two:  Soy Bathe Dumplings or their Baked Curry Dumplings.  If you are looking for real Taiwanese flavor then go for the former.  If fusion is what you are after, then go for the latter.

Baked Curry Dumplings

Soy Bathe Dumplings

Red Wine Beef Soup Pasta
Their Red Wine Beef Soup Pasta is something that I can even recommend to kids because of its soft vegetables.  The egg noodles are cooked right, the beef is pressure-cooker soft (I hope they try the slow-fire method instead, for the flavors would really seeped into the meat the fat would be extracted beautifully), and the soup is light yet flavorful.  I like the way the noodles get to absorb some of the soup the longer it is left in the serving bowl.

If you are looking for one of its signature Ersao dishes, then fear not for the Hulahoop is present here at the Tea Moment.  These are wonderfully sliced, battered and fried squid body.  It is soft and tender and the batter used compliments the meat well.  Leave the dipping sauce to its neighborly dish the Fried Chicken Popcorn.
 
Hulahoop

Fried Chicken Popcorn

Like any food establishment, not everything is a hit to the general public and for me these two dishes somehow fell short from its intended mark: Citrus Dory Salad and the Spicy Chicken Mantou Burger
 
Citrus Dory Salad
The salad somehow felt confusing for me.  The honey sauce was good to help keep moisture in the fish; it is the other components that got me in the loop.  The sudden bite of tartness from the green apple then another sweet-sour flavor coming from the orange made it “strong” for me.  I know of salads that have alternating flavors to give it dimension and it balances well.  Somehow the honey wasn’t enough or it all fell in my dory instead.

Left image is what is in their menu;
Right image is what was actually served

The burger was dry.  Looking at the image in their menu and comparing it to the one served to us that day; there is a possibility that the taste would have been different.  What was served was top dough, chicken, tomato, onion, greens and bottom dough. I never saw anything that would serve as binder such as cheese or mayo or catsup.    In their menu, it was top dough, onion, chicken, tomato slice, green and bottom dough.  If you will take a logical approach on things, the order presented in the menu gives you a higher percentage of moisture to the dough and meat since the onion is between the dough and the meat and the tomato is between the meat and the green compared to what was served then.  Since the lower dough was the sole recipient of the onion and tomato juices, the top dough and the meat became dry – what was served then; perhaps management needs to look into the consistency of the kitchen.

As for their dessert line, it may not be all perfect but it truly came from the heart.  You can choose from Milk Tea Panna Cotta, Vanilla Green Tea Cookie Set, Green Tea Lava Cake, Mo Cha Cheesecake and a beverage that is more of a dessert which is Iced Mo Cha.  I LOVE THEM ALL!
 
From Top Left (Clockwise); Green Tea Lava Cake,
Vanilla Green Tea Cookie Set, Milk Tea Panna Cotta,
Iced Mo Cha
The Milk Tea Panna Cotta is like ice cream!  If you are not keen of pearls then just remove it and enjoy this creamy, smooth treat.  It is heavenly delicious!  The Vanilla Green Tea Cookie Set comes with cookies and coffee or warm milk. Minus the white chocolate bits and I am all set for this.  The Green Tea Lava Cake is not your standard lava cake.  Instead of chocolate pouring out as you cut in, what you have is melted green tea filling.  The cake may not be perfect but I love the concept and the general taste of this treat.  Who wouldn’t like ice cream topping their cake? Definitely not me!  Their Mo Cha Cheesecake is something that they can be proud off.  The cheesecake is of the right firmness and sugar level.  The green tea blended well making it an integral part and not an overpowering flavor.  The crust is of the right thickness and sweetness too.  The only drawback is the illustrious pearls topping it, acting as blueberry when in fact they are not.  The Iced Mo Cha, despite it being a beverage, is best to be classified as a dessert because we are talking of shaved iced green tea with vanilla ice cream at the center!  It is one flavorful, yummy, cool treat!  Next to the panna cotta, this is your next iced treat!

From something warm to something cold, they have a drink that may very well suit your palate. For the warm/hot drink that I have tasted, my opening drink still ranks #1 for me.  For the 5 cold drinks that I have tried that day here are my rankings:

#1 Red Bean Shake

#2 Sesame Grains Iced Mud
#3 Tropical Iced Tea
#4 Green Mango Shake with Pearls
#5 Dragon Fruit Shake

For #4, it was the pearls that killed it.  Somehow the pearls didn’t balance off the green mango flavor and simply overpowered it.  I love the fruit but somehow their execution of converting into a drink missed it mark.  #5 has an herby taste that I would strongly recommend to vegetarians and the like. Nothing against the fore-mentioned group but after tasting this drink and being familiar with your drink, their Dragon Fruit Shake is more to your alley.  #3 is neutral.  It is good but not something to flip over for.  The top 2 drinks are comfort drinks!  It is something that you would hold with both hands while sipping and simply: (A) stare off into space or (B) dream of unicorns and the likes.



I wouldn’t mind going back to ERSAO TEA MOMENT in SM Southmall, alone or with company, for it is one cozy place.  With a drink in one hand, you can stay in one corner and possibly dream of the good stuff. With company, you will be so busy with all the stories being shared that the next thing you knew, you will either be ordering for another set of dishes.  That is the magic of the place.


That is ERSAO TEA MOMENT, a place of good food, a good line of sweet treats, a cozy place to dine and have a “me” moment and simply say: “I am happy to be Asian!”

Sabado, Nobyembre 21, 2015

eRAse Skin Care Products - When Skin Care is Simply Beyond Beauty

An afternoon of knowing a certain brand, a beauty brand that is. can either be fun or flat.  Understanding a beauty-skin care brand is mind stimulating indeed.  Such was the case for me when I was introduced to eRAse Skin Care - Beauty line, UK Collection (cosmetics) and Gamboa Scents.


eRAse has showed us that day what being beautiful is all about.  That beauty is not just on the skin level but needs to be cellular or near cellular - as shown with by their soap line and scar remover.  What I like about them is the fact that they follow the allowable degree of components maintaining a healthy glowing skin; ex: they make us of SPF 15 only since allowable is SPF 40, anything higher would result to possible skin cancer.  Any product purchase comes with proper application/use instructions - a must to follow for effective results.


Part of the blog conference is the introduction of their UK (Universal Knowledge) Make-up Collection.  3 shades of lipsticks and two-way cake foundations, all long lasting when applied.  Their lipstick line came in 3 shades namely:  summer red, fairy pink and orange fizz; their two-way cake foundation comes in ivory, natural beige and tropical beige.  


Business opportunity was also made open to all present by being part of the UK Direct Sales Team.

eRAse products are also available in Watson's and other similar stores.

Be beautiful inside and out by using eRAse, a product that is both looking after your skin health and is true to what they claim.  

 Other eRAse products:






With Argon Oil

Apricot for me (2nd bottle from left)

Love the Gold Gamboa Sports!

Biyernes, Nobyembre 20, 2015

My Latest URBAN GENERATION Escapade!

Shopping has always been something that I love to do.  May it be shopping for myself or for others, I enjoy it - it is therapeutic at times.


Recently, I was invited to shop at a store that is unknowingly to them a must store to go to for me whenever I am in the area of Manila - Carriedo/Avenida.  That is URBAN GENERATION.  Why do I say it is a must place to go to?  Because I get to purchase clothing items that are comfortable to wear, suits my clothing style and is budget friendly.


This time around, I was able to get a sneaker (for those on the go moments), a sandal and a dress shirt (slim cut) for less than Php700.00.  A real steal if you ask me when compared to other clothing store prices.  The shoes is really comfortable; soft and comfortable inner sole, the ankle area is not stiff which lessens skin chafing, the lace is not that long (and it is not a challenge for me for you can always change the lace to a color and length that you want), rubber base sole which makes it comfortable and flexible when being used.  The sandals that I got are those styled with sole nubs that helps blood circulation and nerve stimulation.  The dress shirt (long sleeves collared polo for those who doesn't know) is of a good shade of red, classic look and slim cut, something that I can comfortably wear now since I lost a big percentage of body fat.

The sandals

The shoes

The dress shirt




















I love my present haul coming from URBAN GENERATION!  Can't wait to wear them and show it off to people.






Why do I love URBAN GENERATION?


At this day and age, finding your money's worth have been something we all wanted.  Sometimes we are lucky to find what we are looking for without denting our budget but most of the time it is a challenge.

To those who are in for the brand, then I am sorry for this is not for you.  While those who cares more for style and comfort, you may find this worth your time.  Come, visit and be welcomed to URBAN GENERATION.

Urban Generation  is your friendly clothing store that can dress you up from head to foot without breaking the bank, so to speak.  For the amount of 1K (Php1000), you may get a shirt, pants/jeans, socks and shoes . . .if you choose right, you can even throw-in a belt or underwear to the pile.

Avenida  Store

Having been part of the old business area of Manila, Urban Generation, is one of the stores responsible in keeping this sector up and busy.  In just the stretch of Rizal Ave., they have 2-stores to cater the shopping market: one in Carriedo Area and the other one is near Avenida area.  Chances are, if you can't find what you want in one store, with just a few walk away, you may find it in the other location.  Why is this so?  It is a marketing strategy . . .  even big stores, especially big stores, does that.

I have been going to their stores for some years now and some of the pieces that I got are still being worn and used; that is the result of good choosing.  There was a time that I bought a pair of white shoes from them that is styled differently and looked left-out on the display shelf at that time.  Being an artist at heart, I know I can pull it off and match it to some of my clothes.  Despite the size, it was a size bigger, I bought it and was never disappointed with it!  After a year and a half of constant use (rain or shine), I have to let it go. I wish I would find another pair like that in Urban Generation.

I still recall, with an allotted budget of 3K (Php3000) I was able to buy some bags, shoes and clothes with some hundreds left and Urban Generation was one of the stores that made it possible.  The shoes that I got; a sneaker, a loafer type and a dress shoe, was all so worth it!  The sneaker and loafer-type are still being used up to now.

I love shopping and I love getting good items that are friendly to my budget!  I value not the brand or the name that an item carries but the style and comfort that I will get out of it.  That is why URBAN GENERATION will always be in my list of stores to visit whenever the shopping bug bites me.

**images used were lifted from the net.

Food Review: SUGAR CRAVINGS, A New Treat Along Banaue St., Quezon City

Located along Banaue St. in Quezon City is a newly opened dessert buffet place.  Opened just last September in their new location, this dessert place is worth your time and money.  Welcome to Sugar Cravings.


Located between China Bank and Indy Aircon Parts Inc., you definitely will not miss this place if you are familiar with the whole stretch of Banaue.  Decked in pink and accented in bright red and evergreen shades of sofa, this is one cozy dessert buffet area.  This is a two-level dining area that is capable of accommodating up to 50+ walk-in guest at a time.

From chocolates to fruit based treats, from pasta meals to known dishes for removing over satiated taste, they have something for your taste.

Should you wish to enjoy the dessert buffet offering, which would include round cakes slices, mini-cakes slices, cheesecakes, halo-halo, ice cream, crepes, nachos, dynamites, rice porridge (regular and in chocolate), chilled treats, and various drinks (iced tea, orange juice and coffee), all for Php199.00.  All this you can enjoy and consume in the span of your 2 hours stay in the place.  Not bad for all the treats.

Let us now start discussing their buffet treat offerings.

Chocolate Treats:

They have chocolate balls ala truffle, chocolate cake slices (round), oreo cake mini slices, mocha cake mini slices and chocolate cupcakes.

Non-chocolate Treats:

They offer various fruit based cake slices (in round and in mini's), yema cake slices (round), brazo de mercedes, crema de fruta, mango torte cake (round), red velvet cake (round), baked cheesecake cups, panna cottas, marshmallows, crepes, frozen cakes, halo-halo and ice creams.

 Alis-umay Offerings:

Dynamites (pepper cheese sticks),  nachos, jicama slices (singkamas) and other fruit slices, rice porridge with chicken slivers and rice porridge with chocolate.

Drinks Considered part of the buffet:

Green apple iced tea, fruit juice and coffee.

With the span of 2-hours, you can try all the offerings served; it all boils down on pacing.  My advise, for every plate of sweets have a piece or a small serving of their anti-umay to keep the sweet level at bay and prep you for another round of eating.  You also must try their coffee.  It is good coffee!

The following are my top picks:

     - Mocha Cake/Bar - it is not  your typical mocha flavor but it has a coffee flavor edge to it.  It's light and not that sweet (for me).  It is the coffee flavor that got my attention.

     - Crema de Fruta / Graham Cracker Frozen Treat - both are of the right sweetness and has the right moist level.

     - Brewed Coffee - it is really good!  It has that body and rich aroma that would keep you spellbound.  For a dessert buffet place, discovering their coffee is truly a wonder!

                                     *                                        *                                *
Should you find yourself along Banaue St.in Quezon City, make sure that you get visit Sugar Cravings and try out what sweet treat they have for the day and the next day and the next . . . .


Photos:
(All images used were personally taken by me during my visit of the place)

The Interior:









The Food Offering: