Filipino classics with a global twist at Atelier 317

MANILA, Philippines - Atelier 317 offers Filipino classics with a global twist to French café fare and ethnic specialties. For starters, there’s deep-fried Moroccan lamb gyozas with a harissa yogurt mint sauce (P280) and an Asian slaw (P200), a fresh salad with carrots, red and green cabbage, cilantro tossed up with homemade Asian dressing. Soups include spiced pumpkin soup (P200) and foie gras molo soup (P280) made with shiitake mushroom broth. Specialties are the balsamic beef adobo (P650 solo; P3,500 sharing for six), slow-cooked US short rib served with Portobello mushroom red rice; Moroccan lamb chops with caldereta vegetables (P700) and crisp chicken Bicol Express (P450) with Atelier 317’s Bicol Express sauce and fresh lemongrass, and Vietnamese cha sa la vong (P450) cloud-like morsels of dory cooked in fresh turmeric served over a bed of rice noodles and topped with a mountain of fresh herbs and crispy fried shallots. For a light lunch, indulge in croque madame (P350) served with a French side salad or the Vietnamese banh mi (P300). Pasta lovers will enjoy the limoncetta (P350) homemade carbonara with egg yolks, lemon zest, mint, Parmesan and crispy bacon. And vegetarians can sample the truffle mushroom lasagna (P380 solo, P550 sharing). For dessert, try the pumpkin and ginger cake (P150) or sweet patti cakes and Pinkerton ice cream. Finish your meal with a nice Malongo Espresso or Harney and Sons specialty tea.

Atelier 317 is at Palm Rock Building 6060 Palma corner Osias Street, Poblacion, Makati.

For information, call 358-0987; 0917-8308393, e-mail atelier317@epicurusinc.ph, visit www.epicurusinc.ph (still being updated) follow Atelier on Facebook: Atelier 317, Twitter: atelier317 or Instagram: atelier317.

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Smokin’ barbecue chicken at Smokin’ Hot BarBQ

The Bistro Group introduces its new homegrown restaurant — Smokin’ Hot BarBQ, a casual dining place that serves dishes that are familiar and local in origin. The 140-seater restaurant located at level 3, Greenbelt 3 is Bistro’s latest culinary aspiration. The salads include salted eggs, pako, green mango and blanched leafy greens like kangkong and malunggay. Try the fresh, vinegar-soaked kilawin na tuna wrapped in  banana leaf; and the kuhol sa gata, spicy escargots in coconut cream and chili. Main courses include grilled crispy bacon belly and pork sisig wraps served with tortilla bread instead of rice. They also have bulalo, tinolang manok, sinampalukang manok and sinigang na baka. Chef Boutwood recommends the Smokin’ BarBQ Chicken, which is juicy and flavorful. Desserts include caramelized banana and biko. For a bit of whimsy, the turon comes with homemade sugar snap cones and topped with banana ice cream with banana compote.

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P10 chicken soy wings at Chicken Charlie 

On April 20, Chicken Charlie gives customers a blowout with a special anniversary promo for its signature soy garlic wings, which will sell at only P10/wing in all branches. The wings are brushed with Chicken Charlie’s secret sauce that yields chicken that’s crunchy and golden brown on the outside, yet tender and perfectly cooked inside.

Chicken Charlie is also sharing its blessings with the children of the Center of Health Improvement and Child Development (CHILD Haus), a shelter for indigent patients with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Chicken Charlie is at Katipunan Ave., Eastwood, Congressional Ave., SM Cubao, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Adriatico St., Bonifacio Global City, Makati Ave., Greenfield Hub, SM Marikina, SM Bacolod, Cebu IT Park, Gaisano Mall Davao, and Grand Prix Cagayan de Oro City.

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Dora the Explorer at Discovery Shores Boracay

Discovery Shores Boracay offers its “Dora the Explorer, My First Trip to the Beach” from May 10 to 12.  Book the “Happy Summer Package” of Discovery Shores Boracay for this special weekend and enjoy games, treats and wonderful surprises. On May 10, from 3:30 p.m. onwards, children get to meet Dora and Boots who will take them on a beach adventure, with sand sculpting, a beach playground with an obstacle course, a funny tunnel and an inflatable pool, a scavenger’s hunt and many more games and amazing prizes. On May 11, from 9:30 a.m. onwards, they get to learn crafty creations such as bracelet and necklace making, and designing their own Dora backpacks, a kiddie kitchen where they can enjoy playing junior chefs and learn how to make cupcakes, sandwiches, waffles and popcorn. Kids can even sell their concoctions at the bake sale. As an added treat, there will also be a chocolate fondue fountain for all. Storytelling and other cool activities and surprises are in store the entire day. On May 12, from 9 to 11 a.m., Dora thanks her playmates with special treats and loot bags. The “Happy Summer Package” is available until June 15, at the special rate of P8,888 per person per night inclusive of accommodations in a Junior Suite, a complimentary buffet breakfast at Sands Restaurant, plus roundtrip boat and land transfers from the Boracay Airport in Caticlan.

For information, call 720-8888/(63 36) 288-4500, e-mail dsbrsvn@discovery.com.ph or visit discoveryhotels-resorts.com.

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Truffle Kreme donuts at Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme offers its newest line of small indulgences — Truffle Kremes. The Truffle Kremes comes in six flavors: chocolate chocolate caramel, chocolate chocolate mocha, chocolate chocolate kreme, vanilla white chocolate mocha, vanilla strawberry kreme, and vanilla chocolate caramel.

Krispy Kreme is at Bonifacio High Street in Fort Bonifacio, SM Mall of Asia, Greenhills Shopping Center, Festival Supermall Alabang, Bonifacio High Street, Cebu IT Park, and The Annex at SM City Davao.

Ube-nata thirst quencher from Goldilocks

Goldilocks offers its Thirst Quenchers like halo-halo, mais con hielo, mango sago, pandan jelly, and inimitable sago’t gulaman. Goldilocks adds its ube-nata to its line of refreshing drinks, which is a mix of ube, gulaman, and nata bits.

Visit Goldilocks outlet or call 888-1-999 Go-Delivery.

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Halo-halo buffet at Asian Flavours, Batangas

Asian Flavours restaurant at Lima Park Hotel in Malvar, Batangas offers its “Summer Halo-Halo Buffet” at P199 nett from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurant, which offers modern Filipino and contemporary Asian cuisine, is headed by chef Paul Poblador.  His menu includes ensalada SGB, named after Lima Park Hotel’s Saturnino G. Belen, is a crowd favorite. Ensalada SGB combines Batangas-grown arugula tossed with native red onion dressing and topped with toasted adobo flakes and shaved salted duck eggs. Other offerings include kalderetang bakang Batangas and southern chicken binakol broth. The halo-halo buffet promo runs until April 30.

For information, call (043) 981-1555, 0917-5042385, visit www.limaparkhotel.com or e-mail limaparkhotel.reservations@yahoo.com.

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Tagliata di Manzo at Lombardi’s

Lombardi’s offers its newest dishes like the Tagliata di Manzo, made with imported rib-eye steak, thinly sliced and baked in the oven with rosemary and served with mashed potatoes and caramelized balsamic sauce. The Spezzatino al Vino Rosso is made with imported beef stewed in Italian red wine and hearty vegetables and complemented with mashed potatoes. The Bistecca di Manzo is pan-seared tenderloin steak served with truffle cream sauce, patate gratinate (baked potatoes) and buttered vegetables. There is the Ossobucco alla Milanese which is stewed beef shank cooked ala Chef Davide’s style, with a side of risotto. Other dishes include Salmone Arrosto in Cream al Basil, Coscie di Pollo and the Involtini di Pollo della Valtellina.

 Lombardi’s is at the second floor Alfresco, Robinsons Magnolia Place, 961-2795;  and soon Shangri-La Mall. For information, visit facebook.com/lombardiauthenticitalian.

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Swamp Cheesecake at New Orleans

New Orleans offers its newest dessert Swamp Cheesecake. Visit New Orleans at Robinson’s Magnolia, 961-5711, 961-5712;  Harbor Point Subic, (047) 251-1055, 636-5679, B6 Bonifacio High Street Taguig, 856-4785 and SM Mall of Asia.