Watching a movie will never be complete without a huge bucket of popcorn and an Iced cold drink.

Aside from Cheetos, popcorn is one of my favorite past time snacks. Whenever there’s a new store open offering gourmet or “popped-on-the-stove” popcorn, there’s this feeling in me that makes me want to try it. It’s like a pair of Classic Lacoste shirt or new pair of Adidas shoes that keeps on calling out my name whenever they hit the rack.

When I was in Manhattan with my Aunt Evelyn, we passed by to this popcorn store and she told me that they have the best popcorn in Chicago. She also mentioned that popcorn is part of the Chicago’s culture that they even have “Popcorn Day” during Fall. I got so interested with Garrett Popcorn that time but decided to passed it out.

During my next visit to Manhattan, I got the chance to meet my friend Ivy way back in Elementary Days. After catching up at Dean and Deluca, she introduced me to what she called “The Best Popcorn in New York City”. Ok, this is new, let’s try.

She ordered the White Cheddar and I had the Black and White Biscotti. It was so good and amazingly not that sweet! I was so hooked to it that I almost tried each flavors they have during my entire stay in East Coast. My favorite is Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Drizzle Corn… YUM-O!

Here in Manila, we’re all fond of eating Popperoo, Holy Kettle Corn and Chef Tony’s or those popcorn they have on the Snack Bar at the Cinemas (Power Plant’s Snack Bar popcorn is THE BEST! I swear! Especially when newly popped!) But did you know that the popcorn craze in Chicago have reached Manila? With the help of Chicago Popcorn Shops, the tradition of fresh, natural and Air Popped popcorn is finally here.

I’ve noticed this store one time when I was in Shangri-La. With the thought of Garrett Popcorn hitting Manila, I went in to survey what they have. I learned from one of the crew that the store is not actually Garrett but another popcorn store that offers Chicago’s Gourmet popcorn.

This shop offers non-complicated menus as they have limited flavors only. Their Popcorn flavors are Plain, Buttered, “Karamel Krisp”, Cheese and Chicago Mix (they’ve added two new Chocolate Flavors recently). And with my years of experience in eating, I ordered Chicago Mix as I can fully understand how Plain, Butter and Karamel taste like. But to my amazement, Chicago Mix is just a combination of Karamel and Cheese! However, this will put you to comatose as the combination of the sweetness and saltiness of the two flavors are DIVINE! Since then, whenever I get the chance of hitting Shangri-La, I’m not leaving without a tin can of CPS. It is indeed a luxury that won’t hurt your pocket.

BTW: I did some research. Airpopped popcorn is healthier compared to that of in microwave. It is rich in fiber, low in calories and fat, contains no sodium, and is sugar free. Thanks to Wiki. LOL

Photo Credit:

Chicago Popcorn Shop
The Wandering Boots

Macappleboy

Today, in honor of the National Pancake Day, IHOP (International House of Pancake) will be giving out free short stack to all its customers from 7AM – 10AM! Short Stack comprised with 3 butter milk pancakes with buttery cream on top.

IHOP is like Pancake House, Flapjacks or Heaven n’ Eggs here. However, you’ll find variety of choices on their menu than our local breakfast houses here. Like Flapjacks, they offer unlimited coffee but their pancakes are creamier.

When I was in California, I used to have my breakfast at the nearest IHOP from my aunt’s house. The nearest is at Plaza Boulevard which is like a bus ride from their place fronting Jollibee, where the infamous Seafood City is located.

Happy Pancakes Day!

Macappleboy

I love Pesto, I really do! Whether it is Basil and Garlic Pesto or Sun dried Tomato Pesto, give me a plate, I’ll ask for more!

Whenever I eat at an Italian Restaurant, the first thing I checked is their Pesto Pasta. So far, the best pesto pasta I’ve ever tried is at Bellini’s Italian Restaurant in Marikina Shoe Expo in Cubao.

When I was doing my grocery last Saturday, I run into the Snack section to grab some bags of Cheetos. As I go along at the Snacks section, I noticed this unusual color of Pringles’ canister. It’s color green with onions on it. At first I thought it might be Sour Cream but why do they need to have garlic on it? I grab one canister and to my surprise, it is a Pesto flavored Pringles! I’m not a big fan of Pringles unlike my sister but I decided to give a try.

The verdict? I’m surprised it actually tastes good! It captures the aroma and taste of basil leaves and garlic. YUM O! I remember Chef Tony’s Pesto popcorn… I remember going to the mall just to buy one or two containers of this pop corn… unfortunately it is phased out!

Macappleboy

Spending most of your time on the net let you know all the buzz over the Metro. Just few months back, I’ve been hearing and reading a lot of great reviews about this infamous snack in an old hotel in Manila. I read from some bloggers and food enthusiast that Diamond Hotel’s Ube Ensaymada is the best that they’ve ever had.

Photo Credit: Pinoy Food

Diamond Hotel is too far from where I am living and working. I won’t be giving that much effort just to go there to buy a piece of bread. Good thing that Diamond Hotel put up The Cake Club in Power Plant mall that offers different types of dessert and their humongous ensaymada.

Photo Credit: Pinoy Food

It was not the first time I saw this ensaymada. I run into this last year but decided not to give it a try as I was craving for Mary Grace’s cheese roll that time. Just until yesterday, to get out of this Stress Drilon feeling, I went to Rockwell to have lunch in Mongkok and buy the Chorizo Burger from Boracay (unfortunately, they won’t be open till 3PM that time). So I settled for four ensaymada and head straight to SM Fairview Supermarket for some groceries for myself and my nephew.

The Diamond Hotel Ensaymada is not your usual size ensaymada. It’s bigger, so expect to shell out more cash than your usual budget. DH’s ensaymada has 3 variants: Ham, Plain and Ube.

Normally, The Cake Club serve their ensaymadas cold. But I have decided to warm it before I have it in time for the Lacoste Fall 2010 show. My dad took the Ube and I had Ham for myself. Both ensaymadas are jammed with cheese and light cream. It was so nice to see that your bread is soaked in light cream and the bread is oh so soft.

I would recommend this to those breads and dessert lovers like me. Diamond Hotel’s ensaymada is one of the best I’ve ever tasted like Mary Grace.

By the way, I’ve tried their Ube too and I now I understand why people are so craving for it…

Macappleboy

Last Saturday, after my trip at the Salon, I went to Greenbelt 5 to try the Tapa Overload at Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones is located outside Greenbelt 5 and gives you a diner feel like Johnny Rockets. The restaurant mostly have seats available outside than non-smoking area. Since I was all alone, I was given the corner seat with the arc like couch and round table.

I started with their soup of the day. A creamy bell pepper soup that comes with a long flattened bread. The soup is good enough for two but they are intended for a solo order.

For drinks, I was supposed to order their infamous milkshakes but I settled for Tropical Fruit Punch flavored Iced Tea.

I was not done with my soup yet when my Tapa and Garlic Overload was served. Mind you by just looking at its shiny beef strip, it makes me drool over it.

Its the best tapa I’ve ever tasted so far. The strips are so tasty and is just so tender. For only Php 295, it will complete your Saturday afternoon!

For dessert, I checked out the newly opened Gelatissimo and bought two scoops of Biscottino and Chocolate Truffles.

Photo Credits:

Mr. Jones – Tables for Three
Gelatissimo – Food Trippings

Macappleboy