Flatterie, Mall of Asia

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Flatterie is another brilliant creation by FOODEE Global Concept - the same team behind the famous Tim Ho Wan, Pound, Sunnies Cafe and Todd English. My amazement behind the concepts they bring here in Manila is immeasurable. They really bring up the game in the food industry!

I was invited by Ej Buñag a.k.a. #ilovetoeatph to attend the grand launch of Flatterie last Dec 2017, so this is already a late post. Sorry Ej!

Flatterie is located in Mall of Asia and offers freshly made flat breads and pastas. Flatterie is just beside Pound and the interior pretty much similar so it's just a choice between burger and pizza or pasta. It's like a win win situation cause both place serves good food! There were a lot of foodies during the launch and I was happy to see fellow Looloo reviewers present. Parang malaki reunion lang ang peg. Love it. I feel at home.

The ambiance of Flatterie is very casual yet formal at the same time. The mood is very cozy but the interior and ambiance is very classy and sophisticated. The best of both worlds so as they say! I like the wooden furniture, the dim-lighting, warm lights, shiny decorative accents - everything just goes well together.

Flat Bread in the Making

FOOD
They really served us almost everything on the menu but I will only post about those ones that I really liked. They spoiled us so much that night and I appreciate how fast they were able to serve our orders despite the queue. The chefs were giving us quick tossing shows in between so it's a good entertainment while waiting.
Almost all the flatbreads were likeable but some tasted almost the same with others that it didn't make a mark. Here are the must tries when you visit. :)

Jalapeño Popper P180

Jalapeño Poppers
Fried chilis stuffed with cheese and pepperoni serve with aioli
A perfect appetizer with just a bearable amount of spiciness.

Flatterie Bruschetta P180

Flatterie Bruschetta
Homemade bread topped with mushroom pesto, cream, diced tomato, onion, garlic and basil

Frito Misto & Potato Crispy P320

Frito Misto & Potato Crispy

Deep fried sampler with calamari, shrimp and Flatterie potato

Vongole

Truffle Pasta

Truffle Pasta | P220 Selfie ; P320 Groupie

Spaghetti finished with parmesan, egg yolk and truffle salsa

I almost fell in love with their truffle pasta but I find it to watery or shall I say soupy? The consistency of the sauce gave the dish a blunt taste. It's as if they didn't strain it well and all the water was still there! I can only smell the truffle but I can't seem to taste it. I liked how they cooked the pasta though - al dente. The mushrooms were also a pretty decoration on top, haha!

Mac & Cheese

Mac & Cheese | P250 Selfie; P350 Groupie
Macaroni in a rich cream sauce with mozzarella and parmesan cheese

The best Mac and Cheese that I've ever tried in my entire existence. Well, this is only applicable during the night of the launch cause went I went back the 2nd time around with my boyfriend, it tasted different.
It was so creamy and light, there were hints of saltiness from the cheese which was perfect and they didn't over season the dish.

2nd Visit: I dragged my boyfriend to dine here cause he is a mac and cheese fan. Plus blame PMS! Haha! Mac and cheese and hinahanap ng puso ko. I kept telling him that he won't be disappointed on their mac and cheese, kaya sugod away to MOA. When our orders came gawd I felt so embarrassed cause it tasted so far from the first time that I've tried it. MAY SPARKS AT FIREWORKS yung first bite ko. I think that everyone in the event would agree na masarap siya. But during my 2nd visit... It was blunt, under-cooked and very dry. Tingin palang ayaw mo ng kainin. Konti konti lang yung cheese and we even had to request for an additional seasoning, kahit hindi na cheese, kahit salt nalang kasi wala kaming malasahan.

Truffle Flatbread

Truffle Flatbread | P220 Selfie ; P330 Groupie
Truffle cream, mozzarella and parmesan
Anything with truffle is my weakness. When the aroma of the truffle inside the restaurant scattered everywhere I just had to follow where it was coming from. I stood up from my chair and literally looked for it... voila I was right! The table beside us ordered a Truffle Flat Bread and a Truffle Pasta and because I got jealous I ordered one for our table too cause it was just so irresistable.

I liked the simplicity of the Truffle Pasta which had zero toppings on top. Simple yet very appetizing and tasty, a perfect pair for wine as well. On the other hand the pasta was just okay. It was very watery or soupy, ang labnaw ng sauce to the point na hindi mo na malasahan yung buong dish.

I think this could be improved though.

Carbonara Flatbread

Carbonara Flatbread | P200 Selfie ; P300 Groupie
Bacon, cream and egg with black pepper and parmesan cheese
This is probably the safest one to order cause all the ingredients are familiar and good. What could go wrong with bacon right? Ordered this during my 2nd visit and the quality was pretty consistent. Simply good. Nothing to complain about!
The presentation is something I'd like to commend to, it's very very appetizing!

Roast Beef Flatbread

US Angus Roast Beed Flatbrea | P270 Selfie ; P370 Groupie
US Angus Roast Beef with cilantro and crispy onion

I like the savoriness of this flavor. Kulang nalang rice, pwedeng pwede na, may nanalo na! It reminds me of bistek in flatbread form. It has a little hint of sweetness from the onions which complimented the saltiness of the beef well.

INDULGENCE P890

INDULGENCE
Probably one of the most eye-catchy flatbreads served during the night. Indulgence is made with truffled steak and foie gras with parmesan & onion. I'm not a fan of foie gras because of the after taste it possess but because of the truffle steak which was really good it really balanced the overall taste of the dish. Pinasarap niya! The onions added a crunchy texture to it. The is the most expensive one on the menu. It's priced at P890 available only in LARGE size which I probably would never spend for using my own money.

Ice Cream Puff P220 - Groupie

Ice Cream Puff
Fresh baked Profiterols filled with Vanilla Ice Cream and topped with chocolate sauce

They only have few desserts on the menu and this is probably the one that I like the most. Nothing too extravagant but the best pang-alis umay after all the savoriness from the flatbreads. Just the perfect amount of sweetness!

S'mores Flatbread P270 - Groupie

S'more Flatbread
Chocolate, marshmallows and crusted grahams

FOODIE ICED TEA P90I love Foodee's signature iced tea. It's not your typical house blend iced tea and has a hint of calamansi taste, slight bitterness then sweetness at the end.Among other pizza places I've been to I think this one is a must visit for its uniqueness. The flat breads are a stand out! Everything on the menu is affordable. The place has its own personality and the ambiance just really sets the mood for a good chit-chat. #AFFORDABLELUXURY

Clean & Green

Klean Kanteen: Product Review

Monday, January 22, 2018

The stainless steel bottle that launched Klean Kanteen over a decade ago is now available as a high performance insulated water bottle! We combined our original, iconic Classic water bottle shape with double-wall vacuum insulation to create our most versatile bottle ever. We test our insulated bottle performance constantly and our 20oz will keep drinks hot for 20 hours and iced for 50 hours. Electropolished interior, a process that is safe and non-toxic, and rounded corners make the bottle easy to clean. The included Loop Cap helps keep the contents hot or cold, is easy to clean and leak proof.

CLIMATE LOCK: 20hrs HOT ; 50hrs ICED

PHILIPPINE PRICE: P1849.75

[Source: Klean Kanteen]

FEATURES

Double-Wall Vacuum Insulation, Keeps Hot up to 20 hours, Keeps Iced up to 50 hours
Food Grade 18/8 Stainless Steel Construction
Comes with Leak Proof Loop Cap
Compatible with all Klean Kanteen Classic Caps
Large 1.75" (44mm) opening, for easy filling and pouring
Hand Washing Recommended for Insulated Products
Backed by the Klean Kanteen Strong as Steel Guarantee

SPECS

Capacity	20 fluid ounces (592 ml)
Weight (w/loop cap)	12.2 ounces (345.7 g)
Size (w/loop cap)	11.1" H x 2.9" W (282.2 mm H x 72.9 mm W)
Opening Diameter	1.75" (44 mm)

PRODUCT REVIEW

This is my first ever Klean Kanteen bottle. A first cause I'm hoping to get the other bottle variants in the future. This was a gift from my boss last December 2017 for Christmas. He was kind enough to give all of his employees a Klean Kanteen bottle cause he thinks that it will be very useful for all of us. True enough, it became very handy for us especially during video shoots and even as a daily liquid container inside the office.

I got the color fuchsia pink and I really like it! It's so chic, sophisticated & girly but most of all DURABLE.

This product amazes me in many ways especially its functionality. It's heavier compared to other stainless bottles but it's not a factor that would stop you from buying it when you think of what the product can do for you. Insulation plays a huge factor because it keeps your drink cool so it makes the perfect drinking bottle for travelling, hiking & just any type of outdoor activities.

I like the small mouth opening of the bottle which prevents liquid from coming out all at once. It's a great gym buddy too! I would usually bring this to my workout sessions and would put ice inside to keep my water cool ~ cause chilled water is what I thirst for whenever I sweat like hell. It just makes drinking a pleasure!

The insulation is a BIG PLUS I swear. It's such an advantage in so many ways that it keeps my daily life better! If I want a cup of hot tea I would just fill my Klean Kanteen with hot water and use it as a bigger container for refill. it's so convenient!

I would recommend Klean Kanteen to everyone who wants a high quality and durable liquid container / water bottle. It might be a little pricey but it's worth it! It also comes in different shapes, sizes, designs and color.

MAKE DRINKING A HABIT!

KLEAN KANTEEN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KleanKanteenPhilippines/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kleankanteen_ph/

Lifestyle

EXTREME Pepper Spray for Self-Defense

Monday, January 22, 2018

The Philippines has a relatively high crime rate and with this information it is important to have Self-Defense items in your bags especially on daily commutes!

Benefits of Carrying Pepper Spray

Whether you're a woman walking alone, an elder person or live in a rough neighborhood, pepper sprays are handy to have around. It's a sufficient non-lethal weapon to have when you are by yourself. It is an invaluable instrument of self-defense. It's always beneficial to carry pepper spray cans especially if you have late night commutes all by yourself. You can keep it in your car too.

Pepper spray inflames the mucous membranes of the attacker's eyes, nose, throat and lungs. This causes the attacker to instantly close the eyes and be temporarily blinded by the sudden onslaught. Attackers encounter breathing problems as the pepper spray is extremely pungent. The effects usually lasts 30 minutes or so, depending on its potency. But it's in the first few seconds that you can make your escape to safety. It's a great self-defense weapon because it immediately incapacitates your attacker, letting you to run for cover.

Barring a few locations, pepper sprays are perfectly legal in most countries. You may just have to do a quick check to find out where it's restricted. But one thing is for sure, having pepper spray in your purse is a comfortable thought. It has saved lives and mishaps of the worst kind.

Pepper sprays can be quite inexpensive. But they are worth it. Plus, they are simple to operate. Anybody who has used aerosols will know how to use them. Also they are convenient to carry easily in your purse, pocket or jacket. They even come disguised as lipsticks, rings and fresheners. It's a great bit of equipment to own that will keep you safe in case you need to use it.

Pepper sprays come in different sizes and potency. You can enjoy safer morning walks, nightly jogging or hazardous commutes with confidence. This simple apparatus will allow you to deal with emergencies and violent acts with courage and determination-never let anyone get the better of you.

Pepper spray is an aerosol that contains capsaicin, the ingredient that causes the heat in hot peppers. Capsaicin is a skin irritant to humans and animals and causes severe burning on contact. When capsaicin is mixed with propellant and placed in an aerosol container, it can be sprayed on an assailant in self-defense, allowing you the opportunity to escape. Depending on the type you use, the spray is released as a mist, fog, or stream. Most pepper sprays have a spray range of up to ten feet, although some long-range brands spray up to 30 feet.

Some people confuse pepper spray with mace. One reason is because Mace is a brand name that produces pepper spray products. Mace is a chemical irritant similar to tear gas, but it does not incapacitate a person to the extent that pepper spray does, especially if someone is under the influence of drugs or intoxicated.

Tips for Use

Retired Sheriff Lenny Millholland from Winchester, Virginia, a law enforcement officer with over 37 years of experience, offers the following tips for using pepper spray:

Use downwind.
Don't let the suspect get within arms' reach. Keep them at bay.
Once you spray the assailant or animal, turn and run, and don't look back until you are away from the threat. Take the pepper spray canister with you.
Use in the face area -- eyes, nose and mouth.
Don't spray it close enough that it blows back on you.
Make sure you know in advance the distance the spray will squirt.
If you get the spray in your eyes, or you're a victim of being sprayed, try washing your eyes with milk or sour cream.

"The best defense is awareness," says Sheriff Millholland. "Be aware of your surroundings and don't walk anywhere at night by yourself. [If you're attacked], yell like your life depends on it. It just might. But remember, you have to have contact to get physical. With pepper spray, you don't."

Sheriff Millholland suggests pepper spray users also consider carrying wasp and hornet spray for self-defense. "It squirts 20 plus feet and will cause a blinding effect," he explains. "It works on all animals too. The bottom line is you want to render the assailant immobile long enough to get away."

Keep distance between you and the attacker, if possible.

Aim the spray at the eyes and face then spray 1 to 2 second bursts. (Do not fully extend your hand – they may grab).
MOVE out of the way but watch their reaction to see if you need they need another shot
RUN

What does Pepper Spray do to the attacker? At up to 8 feet away, you will:

Swell your attackers mucous membranes - making it difficult for them to breath
Swell the veins in the eyes - causing the eyes to close

Pepper spray is a convenient, effective method of self-defense. Like any weapon, it's important to familiarize yourself with its safety and understand applicable laws. Says Sheriff Millholland, "You never know when you will be in a position that you need to have that little bit of defense to fend off a bad guy or girl. Pepper spray is a beneficial self-defense weapon."

Nuvali

Republic Wakepark, Nuvali

Friday, January 19, 2018

REPUBL1C WAKEPARK Nuvali: The Newest and Most Innovative Wakepark in the World!

RATES

OPERATING DAYS

Monday - Sunday

Weekdays: Monday to Thursday (830AM to 530PM)

Weekends: Friday to Sunday (830Am - 10PM)

ACCOMMODATION

WAKEBOARDING! Ahhh finally! I had the chance to go to Nuvali and try wakeboarding. This waters sport venue is just an hour drive from Manila and I can't believe I was finally able to try it!

I'm never into waters sports so I had a rush of adrenaline when I knew that our bosses are bringing us to Nuvali for wakeboaring. My bosses often go here in Nuvali to do wakeboarding though they're not really that into sports, they do this as a hobby just to relax and ease the stress from the very busy Metro Manila.

There are three man-made lakes in the vicinity. 1 is for the PRO which is the biggest lake and the other 2 are for amateurs. The best time to go here is on a weekday because there are few people and you can take turns as many times as you want without having to queue for a long time. We went on a Tuesday and we were the only ones in the park, sobrang sulit! I can't count how many times I was able to wakeboard!

BEGINNERS

For beginners, you can choose in any of the two wakeboard lakes that they have. Republic Wakepark is the best place to learn wakeboarding because they only provide professionals to teach all the right techniques while having fun.

THE PROS

For the more adventurous and advanced riders, feel free to have fun with all the obstacles.
Practice your skills and shred with their new ramps that are now more elevated than the usual.

THE EXPERIENCE

All of us, if not MOST of us stayed in the beginners area where the cable is just a one straight line and goes back and forth moving in only one direction. To be honest, I felt fear rushing through my veins, the adrenaline is real! I've never felt that nervous in my entire life cause i'm afraid that I might fall many times and the water might splash hard on me and give me bruises, I'm afraid of falling and getting injured. I just over think too much so I was feeling uneasy before my first ever WAKEBOARD pass.

Gahd, it was an exciting experience. When it was my turn already, Manong who assists every wake boarder guided me on how to stand properly and keep my balance. I was listening to all of his instructions and copying/showing the correct position he wants to check before officially releasing and letting me go off the water. I wasn't able to keep my balance and reach the end of the lake on my 1st, 2nd and even the 3rd try.

I had more than 10 tries or even 20 before being able to stand on my own without falling but I feel like I needed 1 whole day to be able to master this sport! I need to make my own man-made lake fo sho to master this sport! I'm not good in balancing and I keep shrugging my body on one side, either left or right which kept me from falling many times. I can't count it but 'twas fun!

The technique is to keep calm and stay in the same position from where you started and make that position consistent until the end. CONTROL and BALANCE. I wasn't able to make out of the most of this first experience but I really enjoyed it! I never knew I will be able to do this. I never knew I had an adventurous side, who would have thought?

Overall, it was a thrilling experience and I will definitely be back in the future!

OTHER AMENITIES

Republ1c Café

The wakepark has their own restaurant/ bar where you can buy refreshments, eat good food, and play billiards (P175/hour). If you are bringing your baby with you this is a fun place to stay. It's very presko and chill. This is a good place to hang-out and chill with friends before or after riding.

Reception and Shop

This is the first building you’ll enter in. There’s the counter, reception area, gear fitting area, and a shop selling wakeboarding items.

Playground

If you tagged along kids, Republ1c made sure they won’t get bored while you wakeboard. They have swings, slides, a hoop, and a small skating area for the skaters out there.

Swimming pool

Here’s another alternative to both riders and non-riders, for only P120, you could enjoy swimming in their pool. Though they keep this closed mostly on weekdays so it's useless! Better call first especially if you're bringing the young ones!

Cabanas

5 two-storey cabanas are built beside the Basic Course. This is where you’ll leave your stuff or your non-rider friends as they watch you ride at both Advance and Beginners’ Course. By the way, it’s free. Check the table number in your receipt to see what your assigned cabana is.

Shower/ Dressing Rooms

You’ll find two of these in the wakepark. The main one’s near the Reception building and there’s a smaller one beside the Café.

Albay

Misibis Bay Hotel, Albay Bicol

Friday, January 19, 2018

Misibis Bay, your tropical island getaway in the Philippines, is a private tropical hideaway built on a private, pristine stretch of beach along the southern tip of Cagraray island in Bacacay, Albay (Bicol Region).

Offering only the most exclusive and privileged hideaway, Misibis Bay’s architecture and interiors display a quintessence of style that allows guests to completely wallow in royal delight. Its 37 luxurious, Asian-inspired villas are designed with high, airy ceilings, expansive terraces with direct access to the pool or a secret path to the beach. The exclusive 1-kilometer stretch of golden-sand beach is made even more unique with exotic shells and volcanic pebbles.

Misibis Bay offers countless land and water activities. Guests can take an ultimate land and water adventure via Segway, ATV, dune buggy, Avalon Fun Ship, Jet Ski, kayak, hobie cat, wind surf and a lot more. Outside the resort, explore the wonders of the legendary province by marvelling at the rolling hills of Camalig and Daraga, the boiling waters of Nag-Aso Lake, and the perfect symmetry of the Mayon Volcano, or take a plunge in the waters of Donsol and swim with the whale sharks, the world’s biggest fish.

As vast as the terrains surrounding the resort, Misibis Bay offers guests unique dining options. From a refreshing breakfast on top of a hill overlooking the majestic Mayon Volcano, to a private dinner set-up in a white sand beach illuminated by a thousand stars, or in a candle-lit ampitheater that offers scenic view of Albay Gulf, guests are ensured of a truly memorable dining experience. Guests may also satisfy their gustatory desires by indulging in a buffet of culinary delights at The Spice Market for lunch and DeLaPlaya beach grill at night for a most fantastic dinner. The resort serves Asian cuisine fused with Bicol’s native spices.

Going to Misibis Bay is a breeze! From Manila, take a 50-minute flight to the city of Legazpi offered daily by AirPhil Express, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Zest Air. Then choose to travel by land (approximately 45 minutes), by a private helicopter (approximately 15 minutes), or by fast watercraft (approximately 30 minutes) that travels along the scenic coastline of the province.

This is the pool area. Other facilities include the Spa, Activity Center, Fitness Center, Kids Room, and the Pool. The Pool is the only one I was able to visit then. They have 2 pools - the infinity pool overlooking the breathtaking beach and the lagoon pool. Some of the rooms even have their own mini infinity pool and some villas are literally just in front of the pool you can just jump and swim when you open your villa gate.

Garden View Room

Toiletries

As for the rooms they have a lot of types to choose from.
I only saw the ONE BEDROOM POOL VIEW & GARDEN VILLAS.
Check the link below for the rooms available.
https://www.misibisbay.com/accommodations/

QUICK REVIEW:
I like that the rooms are very clean and cozy. We stayed in a Garden Villa which a few walks away from the main beach & resort. It's not too far but walkable. We had 3 beds and 1 bathroom. They provided us with complimentary toiletries. Shower Cap, Tooth Bursh, Tooth Paste, Towels, Shampoo & Lotion were all part of it. The bed was really soft I had the best sleep of my life. Haha! It was hard for me to wake up and for myself to get up cause I just want to lay in bed all day.
The ventilation is good and everything we needed were provided.

Bedroom

Junior Suite Deluxe

THE BEACH
The beach isn't the best swimming site for me. I would prefer the pool more cause it's cleaner and easier to access. The beach would be best for kayak & other water sports than swimming. It's a little too rocky as well so it's not really the best option for swimming activities. The beach gives the best view though. Staring at the clear ocean and shore gave me calming and relaxing experience. If you want a rejuvinating vacation, stay at the beach front room!

Villa

Mayon Volcano

Bath Tub

WHY STAY?

The place is a haven for family or couples who just want to have a private relaxing getaway.

I would love to be back here for vacation and hopefully not for work anymore so I can get to enjoy all the facilities. Despite the resort being in just one location it's not boring to roam around cause they have a lot of facilities so there are a lot of activities that can be done. They also offer tour activities so you can visit the famous Mayon Volcano and other popular sites in Bicol!

Misibis is an ideal place for events especially weddings because there is a church within the compound which has a majestic view of the sea. It's just so beautiful! Other couples have their ceremony by the beach then the reception follows at the event space. This is convenient for couples & guests as they will not have to switch locations which could be bothersome during events.

Overall, Misibis Bay Resort is really one of the best luxury resorts in Bicol.

No wonder travelers recommend this place a lot because of the high quality service, facilities & experience!

Overall rating: 4/5

YES - VALUE FOR MONEY!