Food Review: URBAN FARM, Farm to Table Goodness in the City

Located along President’s Avenue in Bf Paranaque, before you enter Tahanan Village (if coming from SM), is a restaurant like no other.  They serve organic, healthy and truly scrumptious dishes . . . welcome to Urban Farm.

The concept of from farm to table is nothing new to Urban Farm, what makes them different is the usage of herbs and spices to its full potential.  Instead of using some of the ready-made flavors in the market, all the flavors arising from the various plates of Urban Farm is handcrafted specifically to the intent of the chef.  From fresh greens to something to satisfy a meat lover, they have something for you in this relax and cozy establishment.

Somewhere, somehow the initial intent (based on my own deduction) of this place is to offer something healthy then it became homey or vice-versa (homey first then healthy) but one thing is for sure, the food is indeed homey and healthy at the same time!  The décor of the place also contributes to the relax atmosphere.  Simply painted in a semi-bright lime green and white, the whole places speaks of Go Green Revolution!; an idea that sparked during the early 1960’s if I got my history right.

The food that we had that day, courtesy of a foodie meet-up, was their version of cheese sticks.  It is rolled baked bread with melted cheese inside when sliced.  Since the room is not warm but simply comfortably cool, the cheese formed back again making it not gooey.  It comes with a tomato salsa dip that makes you think of a tomato and cheese pizza somehow when you get to taste it.

Buddha's Feast

Next on the list are two salad servings: the Buddha’s Feast and the Mix Vegatables.  I love the Buddha’s Feast!  I am not a fan of peanut sauce but this one doesn’t really have that greasy feel when it comes to peanut sauces.  The vegetables were cooked right and the sauce truly made a big difference.

Three items that you should try are the Ribs, the Shitake Mushroom Burger and their Chocolate Mouse or should I call it their Triple Decker Chocolate Mousse.  The Ribs simply falls out of the bone in its literal sense!  It is so soft and tender with all the right juices!  The Shitake Burger Mushroom is 100% meat free but feels and taste like a real good burger patty!  It has the flavorings and the components of a burger, minus the guilt, plus it is healthy too.  Watch out for the slight zing that you would have as you eat this dish; it is from the crushed garlic mixed into the patty.

For those with a sweet craving, have no fear for they have something healthy and good to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours.  From cookies to cupcakes, they have something for you.  A must item to have and not to be shared is their Chocolate Mousse or what I would call Triple Decker Chocolate Mousse.  It has three layers of chocolates from white to milk to dark, top to bottom.  The serving may look big but once you get to have a bite of it, you would gladly eat it all and tell your friends to get their own slice.  It is that good!  Like any mousse, it is firm when served but soft when you drive in a fork for a bite.  The sweetness level is just right!  It is simply chocolate goodness in every bite!

Their signature tea is something that you need to have when you decide to have an eating binge in Urban Farm.  It is tea made from tarragon and is very helpful for digestion plus it taste good also.

Urban Farm is one place in BF Paranaque that you can food binge without the guilt, that’s for sure.  It is family friendly and truly health worthy food is served from their hearth to your table.  Visit them at BF Paranaque, along President’s Avenue and enjoy good healthy food with your family and friends.

Photos:

(all images used were personally taken by me during the foodie meet-up)

The ribs and Shitake Burger

MUSIC REVIEW: Schizoprano - Nicole Laurel Asensio's Solo Album

Schizoprano

[Etymology: from two words; schizophrenic meaning multiple personality or fractured psyche and the word soprano – is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types.]

[A person who dabbles in other musical genre besides the one s/he is trained on. Ex: classical trained singer but sings rock.]

Schizoprano is the name of the latest album of former band member now solo artist Nicole Laurel Asensio.  Released under MCA Music, this former General Luna band member is now spreading her wings and is ready to show the world what she can truly offer – music wise.

Hailing from two legendary families of singers and performers, soprano coloratura Fides Cuyugan Asensio is her paternal grandmother and singer/actor Cocoy Laurel is her maternal uncle – brother to Iwi Laurel, her mother who is also a singer-performer in her own right, it is no wonder that Nicole has the heart and the craft for the music industry.

With the album released this September, expect to hear more about Nicole Laurel Asensio as she gives tribute to the muse of music.

My Opinion on the album Schizoprano

Let me start of by saying what a challenge it is to categorize Nicole’s voice!  She has a touch of soul, a bosa sound even, a rocker’s growl, a classical trained voice, you name it and somehow her voice has that quality.  She is indeed a rare breed in this present music industry.

This 12-track album, with one bonus track in it, definitely shows what Nicole Asensio can do vocally and lyrically.  This is a collaborative album in terms of creation and sound.  Like any album, there would always be one or two songs that would touch us or grab our attention, for me that is Sakali.  This is a love song set into light rock with a little jazz edge to it.  It sounds different but definitely not strange.  Something that you don’t hear nowadays in the mainstream of music and something one is not expecting from this album.

This is the classic sounds approached in a different manner.  The old meets the new, so to speak.  There is an electric edge sound on some of the songs.  And when you listen closely, the based melody of these songs touches different genres.  Is she trying to show that she is different?  Could be.  One thing is definite; she is simply being true to her music calling.

Did I enjoy listening to her album? That is a YES.  Do I like her album, Schizoprano? It has its strong points, depending on the type of listener.  One thing I can assure you is that it is truly different – sound wise.  Is it worth buying or even downloading?  YES.  Why?  Because we are talking of an artist that is different from what we are used to right now.  I did mentioned earlier that her voice has the touch of nearly every genre that you can think of that is why it is hard to categorize her style of singing and with that reason alone, you need to get this album.

Photos used were personally taken by me during the album launch held in 12 Monkeys

TAG-ANI - Isang Pluma Muli Para sa Artist Playground

Matapos ang isang matagumpay na pagtatanghal ng Riddle of the Sphinx, ay muling nagbabalik ang Artist Playground Inc., sa The Little Room Upstairs kung saan itinanghal ang Tag-Ani.

Ang Tag-Ani ay isinulat ni Amelia Lapena Bonifacio na kung saan pinapakita ang pag-ibig sa mga mata ng mga taong nasa ginintuang taon na ng kanilang buhay.  Itinatampok sina Ermie Concepcion at Ces Aldaba, mga batikang actor sa mundo ng pag-arte, na kanilang pinamalas na kahit ikaw ay nasa ginintuan yugto na ng iyong buhay ay pwede ka pa din umibig at mag mistulang bata kung dumiga ngunit ang masaklap na katotohanan ay sadyang kailangan tanggapin  . . . na may mga nagmahal ng lubos at sadyang nawala sa kanila ito at mayroon din na hindi pa nakakaranas ng pag-ibig.  OO, eto ay isang trahedya-comedia, na may halong romance. 

Nakakaaliw panoorin ang mga nagsipaganap sa kadahilanang walang halong pilit ang kanilang pag arte.  Sila pareho ay nasa edad na batid ng may akda at marahil naiintindihan nila ang mga nuances na sinasabi sa kanilang karakter.  Batid ng manonood na dati ng nagsama sa entablado ang dalawang actor dahil meron na silang rithmo sa isa’t isa.  Ang kanilang batuhan ng dialogo ay sadyang malinis – senyales ng kanilang katagalan na sa industriya ng paganap at respeto sa isa’t-isa.  Maigsi man ang pagtatanghal, nagawa pa din nitong bigyan ng kilig ang mga manood.  Ang estilo ng direksyon na ginawa ni Roeder Camanag ay simple.  Dahil sa respeto niya sa mga gumaganap, naramdaman niya ang lubos na tiwala mula sa dalawa sa mga kinikilos at bitaw ng mga dialogo nito.  Eto ang isang magandang collaboration sa pagitan ng artista at director.

Ang isang bagay na nakakatuwa sa produksyon na ito ay ang pagbigay o lagay ng spotlight sa mga artista na may edad na o tumanda na sa pag-arte.  Madalas sa hindi, mga bata ang nabibigyan ng mga primyado o lead roles sa  isang pagtatanghal at ang mga may edad na ay supporting roles na lamang.  Ang sarap isipin na dahil meron tayong mga piyesang tulad ng Tag-Ani, kung kaya’t nabibigyan natin ng sapat na papuri ang mga artista tulad nina Ermie Concepcion at Ces Aldaba.  Sila na patuloy na nagbibigay buhay at humuhubog sa kaisipan ng ilang kabataan na syang magpapatuloy ng apoy ng pag arte.

Dahil sa ganda na nagmumula sa isang simpleng pagtatanghal, hindi katakataka na nagkaroon pa ng isang linggong dagdag sa pagtatanghal ang Tag-Ani.  Kudos!

Mga ilang eksena sa dulang Tag-Ani:

Skippy's Bar and Grill Turned 2!

Skippy’s has turned 2!

With their signature style and class, they now offer you some delicious treats to enjoy, the whole year round. 

Let us start with their happy hour treat . . .

Cocktails

You can enjoy cocktails for as low as less than a 100Php per order! Their cocktails are not simply flavored alcohols but deliciously flavored alcohol concoctions!  From something fruity to something near like bubblegum, they have something for you – especially if you are not a beer person.

Part of it also or you can take it separately if you want, is the chicken wing promo. For Php 15.00 apiece, you can have a serving of deliciously flavored spiced chicken wing to your liking – minimum of 10pcs per order.  Not bad, since a serving of this would go a long way when paired with one of their cocktails.

One thing that you must try, and this is one of their new offerings, is their Beef Pot Pie!  It is somehow near similar to a typical meat pie but it is not.  Under that perfectly baked and risen crust is an egg left to cook with just the heat circulating inside the ceramic.  When you get to break the crust, mixed the crust pieces to the half cooked egg and the beef mixture.  The heat from the beef and the constant mixing would cook the egg, making the mix gooey in texture.  The salt level is a little high for me but it didn’t keep me from enjoying this new treat from Skippy’s.  Like what I said before, any dish with egg is already near perfect.

For full time meat lovers, then this is for you – Pork Schnitzel.  It is a slice of pork pounded to be thin, then seasoned and coated with a light breading before it was fried.  What makes this different is the pork that was used.  You don’t feel the fat, but you taste it in a good way.  Just plain fat goodness not the grease!  It comes with a good selection of sidings and it is up to you what sauce to match this pork dish; you may have the standard gravy or the mushroom sauce or the pepper sauce.

Skippy’s is known to throw in egg and cheese together, something that I like very much – that is food heaven!  If you are a lover of those two ingredients mentioned earlier, then you need to have the Aussie Pizza.  This is your pizza with egg at the middle!  Think of this as a breakfast pizza at any time of the day.

Aussie's Pizza

2^nd Year for Skippy’s Bar & Grill, 2 new food offerings, the usual gig and billiard table to enjoy, the usual food that comes with egg and cheese (a must try is their burger named The Lot!!) , another year of good food, good people, good drinks and good fun in BGC!

If interested to know the other offerings of Skippy's Bar and Grill, read my first article about them.

http://icemagehigh.blogspot.com/2014/09/skippys-bar-grill-place-of-good-food.html

Food Review: JACK'S JOINT- When Regular Fastfood Treat is Wed with Mediterranean Flavors

What may look like a bar from the outside because of its colors is one food place that caters to all.  This is one food place where Mediterranean and common fast food treat such as pizza and burgers come as one; welcome to Jack’s Joint!

Located along Abad Santos Ave. in Manila is this simple hang-out place that offers you treats from rice meals to pizzas to burgers with a Mediterranean twist and milkshakes that is made healthy because of its main component – yogurt.  With the main chef hailing from the Mediterranean, married to a Filipina, expect that there is a balance of Filipino taste and Mediterranean flavor in every food offering.

What I like with this place is the flavor that is distinct on every plate served.  No dish is alike.  They are the only place that I have come into that has made clear flavors on every chicken dish that they have on their board.  From  their Chicken Pirzola to their Chicken Steak to their Chicken Kebab, they all have a distinct flavoring that clearly define one chicken dish to another.  The pirzola has sweetness that is not overpowering.  The steak has a spice rub that compliments the meat while the kebab truly has the flavor of a skewered chicken – Mediterranean style.

Since I am on the discussion of kebabs, they also have the standard beef kebab that is tender and simply oozes out a flavorful beef juice.  You can also have it in chicken or mix.  Make sure that you get to have a piece of the grilled onion as you take a bite of the meat for that would truly make a difference in your dining experience.

If there are kebabs then shawarma is definitely in the menu.  Unlike other shawarma houses or station, the beef that is served to you are thinly slices of meat and not chopped bits.  This is the classic shawarma!  The garlic yogurt sauce that they have is also right in the flavor alley.  It has a balance of garlic and yogurt that makes it somehow sweet and with heat.  You can also use this on their Shawarma Pizza – this is shawarma topping in a pizza.  It is different yet deliciously filling like any in their food list.  You can have their shawarma in three different ways: (1) wrapped, (2) with rice or as (3) pizza, as prior mentioned.

Shawarma Platter

Shawarma Pizza

One item that you have to try is their 4-Cheese Pizza.  I am a cheese lover by heart and this one was able to creep into my cheese creation list.  Though the 4 distinct cheese flavors are not that strongly tasted, the creaminess and saltiness is still present thus making it yummy still.

4 Cheese Pizza

The milkshakes that they have is truly pocket and stomach friendly.  Yogurt based, the flavors added to it (strawberry or mango) is true and not artificial or like medicine.  A glass of regular milkshake is only for Php 50.00, while the strawberry and mango are pegged at Php 65.00 per glass serving.  How big is the glass?  It is the size of a beer mug.  The price is just right for student customers in the area.

Ice Tea and Milkshake

Ice Tea and Strawberry Milkshake

For their burger offering, it is so price friendly.  Priced at Php 60.00 (quarter pounder) and Php 120.00 (half-pounder), this is not bad for students and that of the working class.  The patty is thick and flavorful.  The vegetables used are definitely fresh and crunchy.  The cheese is also right.  The only drawback is that the patty is not that solid.  It is like patties stacked then cooked; you see that slight space between making you think of stacked burger patties.  But the flavor is real and for burger lovers, you will enjoy this.  What I like with this burger is not the meat but the bread.  The bread is something that they make themselves!  That crust on the top bun is a delight, add to that the flavor and texture of the actual bun.  I could eat the bread alone and love it still!

Half-pounder for Php120.00

 Another wonderful thing about this place is the Wi-Fi connection.  It is strong!

Jack’s Joint is one place that caters to students, working class and families since they are situated in the school, business and residential area of Manila.  They are truly a hang-out place minus the tension.

Food Review: Come Home to THE NEST-Vivere Hotel and Experience Comfort Like Home.

Located at the top most level of the highest hotel in the south - Vivere, The Nest is the latest hang-out place for dining and relaxation here in the south of Manila.

From salads to meat offerings to smoothies, they have something for the young and young at heart.  Opening their doors to us, courtesy of Zomato, we were able to experience 1^st class service to the letter!  The staff was not only courteous but also attentive to your needs and queries.  A tour was given to us to show the whole area of The Nest.  With two rooms capable of housing small events yet giving you either a scenic view of the lake or a light show of the City of Las Pinas, The Nest is one place to go for.  They even have a spot for that romantic, cozy moment that you would like to have for that special moment, you just have to ask and reserve to assure you of a perfect night with your partner.

Crispy Catfish Salad

 If you are looking for a salad that is not that common then you should try the Crispy Catfish Salad.  It has the usual greens and green mango and to make it different is the chopped pieces of catfish made crispy and local peppers aka siling labuyo.  It has heat and crunch and sourness that you don’t need any dressing.  Now if you are into the regular salad green then you can go for their Greek Goddess Garden Salad.  But don’t be fooled by this for it comes with a twist – it has candied walnuts and strawberry vinaigrette.  The candied walnut adds both texture and taste dimension.  Add to that that tartness coming from the vinaigrette and what you have is a salad that you would love to consume on your own.

Greek Garden Salad

Grill Platter

True to their calling of giving comfort Filipino food, you have to try their Grill Platter.  It has squid, fish, pork belly and chicken – everything that you can think of that is good after being grilled.  The fish is good!  The natural sweetness of a fresh fish was evident that you don’t have to use the dipping sauce that comes with it.  The pork belly and chicken is also commendable on how it was grilled for it was still juicy.  Hands-off to the squid!  It was soft and chewable not gummy.

Pork Binagoonan

The Pork Binagoonan and Bistecca with Mixed Green Salad are two meat dishes that you must try!  The Pork Binagoonan is your classic pork with shrimp paste raised to another level.  It is not fishy or salty for that matter.  The Bistecca is another matter.  The accompanying side dishes are truly worth your time.  The potato salad is your classic with chunks and the right flavoring.  The cauliflower puree/salad is so good!  With bits of potatoes in it, it is so creamy, good and healthy.  The meat is best eaten when served so that you still get the natural juice and the rub that was used.

Bistecca with Mixed Green Salad

For dessert, choose from the following:  Frozen Brazo, or Salted Caramel Brownie with Bacon Ice Cream or their Mango Brulee.  All of them has their own strong points and is good!  What I love the most is the Mango Brulee!  It is creamy and the sweetness of the mango balls truly goes well with the custard and the torched sugar on top.  The proper way to eat this treat is to have the ball with the custard and the torched sugar all in one bite.  The crunch, the softness of the custard and the tart-sweetness of the mango creates magic!

Salted Caramel Brownie with Bacon Ice Cream

Frozen Brazo

Mango Brulee

The drinks that they have are something to look forward to also.  The fruit smoothies are truly refreshing.  I have tried their dalandan and it was good!  Their light alcoholic drink is something to look forward too.  They have a sangria that is with cinnamon (red) and a light colored one.  Both has light fruity flavor that is both refreshing and delivers a light buzz.  Their coffee is also something to try for it has a light chocolate undertone that helps cleanse your palate after a full meal.

The Nest is truly a delightful place.  With music playing that goes well with the thought out ambiance of the place.  It is amply lit that shadows simply play at the edge making things relax and peaceful.  The people are also delightful to interact with that dining here or simply having coffee is an experience to remember.  Visit The Nest at Vivere Hotel here in Filinvest, Alabang and have a true dining experience that you will remember for years to come.