What's on the Menu?:Thai food fest at Mandarin Oriental

MANILA, Philippines - Mandarin Oriental, Manila holds the “Thai Food Festival” in Paseo Uno from May 2 to 15.

The restaurant plays host to Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai chef Chanin Jakassed and his team when they present the exotic flavors of classic Thai and northern Thai cuisine. The lunch and dinner buffet will feature Pa Neang Neur, thick and creamy red curry with beef; sa tay gai, charcoal grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber relish; geang aom moo, northern-style curry pork with kaffir lime leaves; lab gai, spicy ground chicken, shallot, spring onion with ground sticky rice; tom yum goong, spicy prawn soup with fresh herbs and straw mushroom; and goong phad nam prik pao, stir-fried prawn with baked chili paste and basil, among others.

For reservations, call 750-8888 or e-mail momnl-fb@mohg.com.

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Summer is for chillin’: Try the new gelato flavors at Cara Mia Gelateria

Coconut and lychee gelato at Cara Mia Gelateria

Cara Mia Gelateria offers three new flavors of gelato — mango, coconut and lychee. There are also new gelato shakes like pistachio almond, sans rival Irish cream and cookie crumble.  

Cara Mia is located in Don Bosco Makati, Bellagio Square on Tomas Morato, Greenhills on Connecticut and Missouri, the Atrium of SM Megamall, the Annex at SM City North Edsa, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila and Ayala Triangle Gardens.

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Zao good: The crispy spring rolls at Zao

Crispy spring rolls at Zao

For crispy spring rolls with a twist, Zao is the place to be. Diners are served a plateful of fresh ingredients with the rolls. Here’s how you eat it: Place the rolls over lettuce, add some bean sprouts and cucumber, sprinkle some vinegar, add chili and enjoy!

Zao is at the second floor, Eastwood Mall Veranda, Libis, QC.

For reservations, call 470-7587.

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Grill it: The grilled tuna and asparagus at BluFish

Grilled tuna and clammy spaghetti at BluFish

BluFish lets diners indulge minus the guilt with its healthy and yummy offerings. Must-try items on the menu are the grilled tuna and asparagus, scallops and chili prawns skewers, Buffalo shrimps, fish pesto paella, Chilean sea bass, clammy spaghetti, oysters Rockefeller, and Moroccan sea bass stuffed with couscous and served with roasted veggies.

BluFish is at the ground floor, new Eastwood Mall.

For inquiries, call 900-0886.

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Juicy and yummy: Fall in love with seriously good roast at Yummy Roast.

Roast pork belly and chicken asado at Yummy Roast

Yummy Roast, the newest quick-serve Asian resto to hit the country, serves Asian-style food with traditional recipes in mind.

It puts a few of Pinoys’ fave meals on the table — the Yummy Chicken, Yummy Pork Belly, and Yummy Pork Asado — all perfectly partnered with its Yummy Rice for P98. Just add P20 to enjoy unlimited fragrant rice or Yummy Rice.

Yummy Roast’s first and flagship store is at Citywalk 2, Eastwood City, Libis.

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Summer cooler: Actress Kris Bernal chills out with a cup of Fruittas.

Buko halo-halo and pearl shakes at Fruitas

Beat the summer heat with the healthy and fresh fruit concoctions from Fruitas.

Buko ni Fruitas, one of the many brands under Fruitas, is best for cleansing our system and battling intestinal ailments. It’s rich in protein and fiber. It comes in many variants like buko halo-halo, buko strawberry, and buko mangga.

Also try the Yes, Yes Yogurt and Black Pearl Shakes. Another brand to watch out for is the Fruitas Ice Candy.

For inquiries, call 731-8886, or SMS 0906-888-2828.

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Tea-licious drinks at Chatime

Chatime, the famous Taiwanese pop milk tea chain, recently opened its first Philippine outlet on Banawe St., Quezon City.

It offers about 70 variations of mellow milk teas, smoothies, special mixes, fresh and Oriental pop teas, mousse and special blends with an assortment of toppings.

Best-sellers are Chatime grass jelly, roasted milk tea, taro pudding milk tea, and TieGuanyin tea latte.

Chatime is at the corner of Banawe and Nicanor Roxas (formerly Laong Laan) Sts., QC.

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Snack attack: Enjoy the eat-all-you-can merienda treat at Traders Hotel for P399.

Weekend eat-all-you-can at Traders Hotel

Traders Hotel Manila’s Latitude restaurant now offers buffet merienda every Saturday and Sunday, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For P399 net per person, enjoy a wide spread of local and international light dishes with tea or coffee.

For inquiries, call 523-7011 lcoal 2402 or e-mail mailto:reservations.thm@tradershotels.com.

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One for the road: Rocky Road donut from Happy-Haus Donuts

Choco indulgence at Happy-Haus Donuts

Happy-Haus Donuts introduces its Chocolate Indulgence Donuts for only P9 per piece. Choose from your all-time favorite flavors: Black Forest, Rocky Road, Cookies & Cream and the Quatro Choco.

Happy-Haus Donuts also introduces its Afford-a-Franchise package at P35,000 for new grads. Take advantage of its low installment plans.

For inquiries, call 410-9084, 376-6393, e-mail mailto:happyhaus_main@yahoo.com.ph or visit www.happyhausdonut.com.