Food at Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort

Aside from the good service and picturesque landscape, another thing I appreciated about Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort is the satisfactory food it prepares for guests. 

Breakfast is included in the room rate and we got to choose from a Japanese, American, or Filipino plate. Best value of the lot, we feel, is the Japanese meal of grilled fish, rice, and eggs as it includes a cup of miso soup.

Japanese 

American

Filipino 

When we arrived at Bluewater, we were hungry and tired so we ordered from room service. The pizza and burgers were good and filling while everybody loved the lechon kawali. We also made sure to try the famous banana bread recommended by friends but it was average at best. 

Pineapple & Ham Pizza 

Sumilon Burger

Lechon Kawali

Banana Bread

For dinner, we ate at The Pavilion which houses the restaurant of Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort and had a feast of mainly Filipino classics.  The succulent lechon kawali from room service was such a hit that we reordered it. If there's one dish to avoid, it's the grilled tanigue because it was overcooked and not fresh.

Shrimp & Papaya Salad

Grilled Tanigue

Grilled Squid

Lechon Kawali

Sinigang

Nasi Goreng

To those wondering, pricing of food is reasonable for an exclusive island resort. Be prepared to pay Manila rates.

Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort is located at Sumilon Island, Bancogon, Oslob, Cebu, Philippines. For more information, call (32) 318 3129 or 0917 631 7512. Email the resort at sumilon@bluewater.com.ph or click here for their website.

Farm to Table at Green Pastures

It's rare that I enjoy eating vegetables more than my share of protein and carbs but that's what happened when I had dinner at Green Pastures.

Green Pastures has a farm to table concept, curating the best local ingredients that our farmers grow and raise here in the Philippines.

Pinoy Egg (125php)

Five minute free range duck eggs wrapped in housemade longanisa over fiddlehead fern salad

Duck You (185php)

Duck fat fries, duck skin chicharon, duck confit

Farmhouse Salad (550php)

Shredded kale, chopped romaine, konbu roast chicken, malagos goat cheese, hard-boiled eggs, dinelli bacon, corn, avocado, grape tomatoes, honey mustard dill vinaigrette

Crab Meat & Sea Urchin Pasta (525php)

Lemon, chives, spaghetti

Roast Organic Chicken (595php)

Konbu brine, lemon, grilled asparagus

What's good and exciting about Green Pastures is that the menu changes depending on the season, making every dining experience different.

Green Pastures is located at the 4/F, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong. For more information, call 654-3219 / 0922 633-4687 or click here. 

Boudin Bakery: A San Francisco Institution

Boudin is a San Francisco institution having been in the business of making breads since 1849. From a little bakery on Dupont Street, Boudin is now synonymous with San Francisco sourdough bread.

Boudin has many branches in San Francisco. My family and I went to Boudin Bakery & Cafe at Macy's for breakfast since it was near our hotel.

Boudin at Macy's Union Square

Sourdough Bread

The famous Boudin sourdough is made fresh everyday using the same recipe since 1849. The sourdough is actually French bread with a tangy taste to it. 

Pepperoni Sourdough Pizza

Although made  from sourdough crust, there was no distinct difference in taste compared to the regular pizza crust.

Chicken Pesto Sourdough Pizza

Same as above. 

Tuna Salad Sandwich

Fresh and healthy. Just forget about the chips.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

The freshly baked bread made all the difference!

Soup and Salad Combo

If you will only order one item on the menu of Boudin, choose any soup served in a Boudin sourdough bread bowl as it highlights the sourdough the best. Comfort food at its finest.

Boudin has many locations in San Francisco. For more information, click here.

The Old Breakfast at Antonio's

I'm such a bad blogger! 

Breakfast at Antonio's has already moved back to its original home along Tagaytay Ridge and here I am sharing my experience eating at its old location.

Facade of Breakfast at Antonio's

We went to Breakfast at Antonio's when it was still located inside the estate of fine dining restaurant Antonio's and it looked very much like Antonio's with its black and white tiles, pretty chandeliers, and al fresco dining area. 

The similarity ends there though as service was a big letdown the day we had lunch at Breakfast at Antonio's. We had to wait for quite some time before our orders arrived. 

Mesclun Salad w/ Boiled Chicken Salad w/Cider Yogurt Dressing & Shaved Parmesan (450php)

Fresh and light. Good appetizer to start the meal. 

Seafood w/Pesto Sauce (480php)

Loved the texture of the crust. Pizza needed fresher ingredients though.

Foie Gras Raclette (700php)

The pizza had a funky smell and taste that didn't seem right. Poor quality foie gras perhaps?

Antonio's House Burger (385php)

My kind of burger! One bite and I knew that high quality beef was used to make the patty. 

Spaghetti Bolognaise (495php)

Flavors were a bit subdued. Our least favorite pasta.

Spaghetti Carbonarra (495php)

My carbonara loving brother had to have another serving! It obviously had his seal of approval.

Portobello Targliatelle w/ Truffle Cream Sauce (495php)

Creamy with strong truffle flavors.  A good vegetarian dish.

After the meal we also had to follow-up our bill several times. At least Breakfast at Antonio's was aware that their service sucked and they gave us complimentary dessert while we waited.

Homemade Yogurt Topped with Lemon Curd

Here's hoping that the experience at Breakfast at Antonio's has become more pleasurable with the the move.

Breakfast at Antonio's is now located along Tagaytay Ridge, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay.  For more information, call (046)4130738 or click here.

Lounge with a View: Bayleaf's Sky Deck

The Sky Deck is a cozy rooftop lounge bar at the Bayleaf Hotel located in the historic walls of Intramuros in Manila.

It offers spectacular views of Manila and the Makati skyline.

Full Moon

It's not all about the view at the Sky Deck however, as one can partake in a buffet meal for around 700php. Apologies for the grainy pictures.

Corn and Potatoes

Rice

Salad Bar

More Appetizers

Sausage

Yakitori

Ribs

Chicken

Brownies

Fruits

I was tempted to join the buffet fun but I'm proud to report that I had self-control and only ordered a salad:

Kanji Beef Salad (380php)

I was surprised how delicious my healthy selection turned out to be! Beef was perfectly cooked and the vegetables were fresh and tasty even without the dressing. Diet food, it almost was not.

The Sky Deck is a welcome addition to the Manila restaurant scene and I'm glad that we Manila folks no longer need to travel far to hangout and unwind in a place with a view.

Here's hoping for more places like the Sky Deck within Manila.

P.S. I heard the theme for the weekend (Fridays and Saturdays) buffets at the Sky Deck is now Tex Mex.

Sky Deck is located at the Bayleaf Hotel, Muralla Street, Intramuros Manila. For more information, call 3185000 or click here.

More than Ramen at Nomama

Heard a lot of good things about the cooking of Chef Him Uy de Baron so I was eager to try his recently opened casual modern Japanese restaurant, Nomama.

I thought it was all about ramen at Nomama, so it was a pleasant surprise to discover that Nomama has an extensive menu.

Edamame (90php)

Healthy appetizer!

Soft Shell Crab Salad (260php)

I remember the dressing being sour. I didn't care for the soft shell crab though.

Nomama Seafood Tempura (360php)

These were not greasy!

Thai Green Curry Ramen (310php)

The flavors were there albeit in diluted form. I wish the chef used a heavier hand in spicing this dish.

Ox Tongue and Chili Tofu (290php)

A more successful bowl of ramen with a flavorful stock. Just make sure to like ox tongue and tofu.

Roasted Chicken with Ponzu Cream (330php)

My favorite dish of tender chicken and creamy carbs.

Apple Gyoza (275php)

An interesting dessert worth trying. A bit heavy though after a full meal.

Kitkat Bar (175php)

The most popular dessert at Nomama. If you have room for only one dessert, order this. 

Do note that we dined at Nomama during its soft opening. I'm sure food served is even better now!

Nomama Artisinal Ramen is located at G/F, FSS Building, Sct. Tuazon cor. Sct. Castor Quezon City. For more information, call 9214913 or click here.