Hotels and Food Hoppers

When I was in Philippines in September, had the chance to taste the food served at Empacho Restaurant & Bar in Timog Avenue, Quezon City! Their cuisines are not really pure Filipino food but with a twist of Mediterranean flavor! So satisfied with this unique experience!

Just dined and wined today at the best winery in Temecula, California! Great Eats, Great Wines overlooking the vineyards only at Thorton’s Winery!

Makati Shangri-La Lobby huge, gorgeous flower arrangement is an eye catcher to all guests:customers upon entering this luxury hotel!

I have been hopping around from one hotel to another for the past week and these are the hotels in Metro Manila I have stayed at:

At Okura Hote Niigata way back many years ago... live piano/vocal by Nestor Lalata, brother of former Philippines ‘famed actress/singer Lirio Vital.

If I repeated to dine again at a certain restaurant, that means it is good! Last night was my sixth time to dine at Yatai, the Filipino restaurant located in Chitose, Hamamatsu-shi, Japan... I give credit to Chef Jaime for keeping the authenticity and taste of the food and to the Filipina owner Enie Cura’s watchful eyes to check the food ordered by customers before serving!

Lush of greens all over in Japan’countryside @ Hamakita Farmers Market

The lunch buffet at Okura ACT City Hotel Hamamatsu’s Continental Cuisine Restaurant Figaro on the 2nd floor is a feast to the palate with its wide array of sumptuous world dishes, variety of bread, hors d oeuvres, fresh veggies salad, mouth watering desserts, soups and freshly-brewed coffee choices... if it’s Okura, it spells Deliciousness!

When I was in the Philippines last May, I hopped in at several famed Filipino restaurants in town and this one Filipino restaurant located in Pasay Road Makati City really met my criteria of great tasting Filipino food! This is Lutgardo’s Bistro Filipino where they serve native Filipino dishes with their chefs preparing them really fresh... their rellenong alimasag (stuffed crabs) really hit my palate big time!!

It’s only nothing but fresh seafood this Japanese Restaurant uses in their dishes... every bite spells freshness!

Fantastic full course French dinner at Okura ACT City Hotel Hamamatsu Sky Lounge Paganini overlooking the panoramic night view of the north side of the city!

Brunch at Conrad Manila with their pretty and friendly Lounge Receptionist... one of the fond memories I had staying at this hotel where simplicity is elegance without lavish interior but focusing mainly on the beautiful view of the Manila Bay!

There is another hotel I found during my three weeks stay in the Philippines and that’s Conrad Manila. The lobby and its front desk are located on the third devoid of lavish interiors which focus more on the outside view of the Manila Bay. Excellent service down from the security guards to the GM who invited me and other important guests at the cocktail party he hosted at the hotel Presidential Suite with outside terrace overlooking the sprawling view of the Manila Bay and the sun as it sets!