Saturday, November 29, 2014

My First Slappy Christmas Experience

When I was invited to a food event for Slappy Cakes, I never thought what will be in store for the next hour and so. I was allowed to bring a child guest but my niece is still at school. I have to settle with the immediate kids in the area. Good thing, fellow blogger brought her son whom I personally know.
Demo on pancake art

When I arrived, I already saw Jado creating pancakes from the built-in oven at the table. He was so into it that he didn't stop serving us pancakes. It was innovative since the pancake mix are in the ketchup bottles and you just pour it at the oven.

Besides the usual chocolate and buttermilk pancake mixes, the seasonal velvet mix is now part of the selections. Slappy Cakes only has Velvet for this occasion and Valentine's and people started to ask for it. The ginger mix is also one of their seasonal mixes for Christmas. If you have tasted a gingerbread, you can imagine how it taste on pancakes.

But making fresh pancakes on the table is not Slappy Cakes has in mind. You can be creative with it. You can make different shapes and sizes and form something out of it. We were given idea by their resident pancake artist. I was impressed when she did a demo making a face of Santa using on the buttermilk on the face, velvet on the hat and chocolate on the cheeks with a some cream on the beard.
Finished product

After the demo, we took the dare who's the best Xmas pancake art. My snowman was not that extravagant but I take pride of my work. You can get a chance to showcase your creative Xmas pancakes and upload them via social networks like instagram with hashtag #SlappyFunChristmas and each post or entry should answer "What would you do if you win a year's worth of pancakes?"
This is the best snowman I can create.

Slappy Cakes is not just for families but it can be fun with your circle of friends, colleagues, classmates etc. I will surely suggest this to the comic book artists I know. On my next post about Slappy Cakes, I will feature the dishes besides pan cakes. To get more foodie updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.
She did a better job in making a snowman.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

My first Thanksgiving at Burgoo

Burgoo. An American mid-western stew with Irish origins which is popular in Kentucky. There is also a Burgoo festival where families showcase their different variants of burgoo. Burgoo is usually composed of deer, squirrel, or anything they hunted down. Not to be mistaken with burgers.

Burgoo is a Filipino-owned restaurant that serves American dishes. Opened sixteen years ago when Tomas Morato. Since then, Tomas Morato boomed with more restaurants and active night life. I am joining a Thanksgiving lunch at the branch in Podium.

Upon entering the establishment, it is noticeable that their tables are covered with a big layer of paper. While waiting, you can create your own graffiti or art until your food arrives. Each table has random crayons you can use. I can imagine comic book artists doing their thing. Burgoo provides a fun atmosphere and you can see it on the display on the walls.

I was invited by Ms. Joy Melad, in-house PR consultant and Managing Director of Specialty Restaurant Groups, Mr. Albert Alavera as our host.

Our first course was the burgoo stew. Since we don't have deer or squirrels here, the burgoo stew is mixed with pork, beef and chicken. Filipinos may find it new since it is not originally served with rice but you should not think of carbs since the food here are quite a mouthful. The burgoo is probably the best stew I've had since I like dishes served with tomatoes.
Shrimp & Ribs Platter P995.

Our next course was the Chicken Caesar's Salad. I never thought that Caesar's can be good with lots of shrimp and it is just as I like it. After the salad, we are now having their bestseller; the Shrimp & Ribs Platter. Just like any American home cooking, it also comes with corn and fries. The ribs are delicious because of the marinade.

If this won't get you stuffed, the main course is just halfway. Among their pastas, one of their bestsellers is the Chicken Dianne Pasta. It was named for its Dianne sauce. Burgoo is the only restaurant that serves pasta with Angel's Hair.

Just when we are about to give up, we just had to make room for dessert. I am glad I didn't skip the dessert or I will regret it. We are having three of their bestselling cakes. The cakes are not outsourced elsewhere and baked new everyday. I got to taste all three, The Chocolate Cake, Mississippi Mud Cake and the Raspberry Cheesecake. What's good about the Chocolate Cake is that it is rested on caramel syrup on the plate. I consider the Raspberry Cheesecake as my favorite but the Mississippi Mud Cake is ideal for children.

Burgoo is a sister company of Gumbo and is part of the Specialty Restaurant Groups who owns both restaurants. As I said earlier, it is an original Filipino owned restaurant and all of the branches are company owned. Also mentioned earlier that it provides a fun atmosphere and it is available for different event functions.

Be sure to try out the Burgoo Marvelous Combo which includes Extra Supreme Nachos, Country Style Fried Chicken, Tomato-Basil Spaghetti for only P999(save P526 from P1,525). Good for five people and it is served with Coca Cola.

For more foodie experience, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

IT’S THANKSGIVING DAY AT GUMBO!

On November 27, last Thursday of the month, Gumbo, a New Orleans restaurant is one in celebration of Thanksgiving Day, an annual tradition in the US, historically a religious tradition to give thanks to God.  It is now celebrated in the Philippines and It is also a time for merrymaking, shopping, family reunions, feasts and family dinners.

Speaking of family dinners, Gumbo, located at the 2nd level, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia; 2nd level, The Block, SM City North Edsa; 3rd level, Robinsons Place Manila Midtown; 2nd level, Atrium Bldg., SM Megamall; Gateway Mall Araneta Center; and Robinsons Magnolia is a perfect place to celebrate this day as they prepare delicious and mouth-watering dishes for your family and friends to feast on.  Highly recommended is “Combo Magnifico” valued at P1525.00 but you can avail for only P999.00, a huge saving of P526.00 indeed a reason to thank God for!

  This sumptuous treat includes Chicken and Cheese Melt Fries, Shrimp Aglio Olio and Cajun Fried Chicken, plus a carafe or 1.5 liters of Coke, guaranteed good for five persons!  Celebrate Thanksgiving Day at Gumbo! For reservations and inquiries, please call 5560238, 4420106, 5671820 and 6353015.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

THANKSGIVING DAY AT BURGOO!

Event release material

On the fourth Thursday of November, Burgoo American Bar and Restaurant joins in commemorating this one of the most important holidays in the US, Canada and several countries including the Philippines. Thanksgiving Day is a joyous family festival celebrated with lots of enthusiasm.  On this day people express gratitude to God for His blessings and give thanks to dear ones for their love and support.  Feasting with family is an integrated and most delightful part of any Thanksgiving Day celebrations.  And where is the best place to have fun on this day than in your favorite restaurant such as Burgoo!

True to their tagline “At Burgoo it’s always a family treat!” the whole family will surely love this “Marvelous Combo” for only P999.00.  Valued at P1525.00, you can save P526.00 for these sumptuous dishes composed of Extra Supreme Nachos; Country-Style Fried Chicken with rice pilaf and potato wedges or any two side dishes of your choice; and Tomato-Basil Spaghetti with special garlic bread.  This delicious treat also comes with 1.5 liter of Coca Cola and is available for dine-in or take-out!  Call 8981815 or 8981817 or 9277396 for FREE delivery in nearby areas at Rockwell and Tomas Morato outlets only.  Other branches of Burgoo is located at The Podium, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Galleria, The Block at SM City North EDSA,  SM City Marikina, SM Southmall, The Terraces Mall in Fairview, and Starmall in Taguig  For reservations and inquiries, please call 6875565, 7264663, 9136112, 5560091, 6336256, 4420115, and 4771932.