Feed 5000

Gone are the days where you'll hear Chef Gordon Ramsay scream across the dreaded Hell's Kitchen  when you enter Chef Len Santos'peaceful kitchen nirvana. Far from the usual serious looking, silver everywhere utensils, this kitchen makes one feel cozy and at home. When I first stepped in, I knew this is one place I'm fearless enough to whip up something. 

People have always been curious where the name "Feed 5000" came from. It started with the Bible story in the gospel of John when Jesus did a miracle of feeding 5000 with five loaves and 2 fish. Feed 5000 also started out as a catering business. Now, Chef Len decided to use her culinary skills and demonstrate cooking classes to people like me who love to cook the simple and stress free way. She currently resides in Ayala Alabang where her classes are also being held. 

 Thanks to Chef Len, I got to attend one of her classes "REAL FOOD: MAKING HEALTHY FOOD FROM SCRATCH". This class shows non chefs can actually cook healthy, MSG free food without the hassle. Goodbye to Knorr cubes and Magic Sarap! 

Since I was running late, I was able to reach the part Chef Len was demonstrating Hungarian sausage patties. They're so easy to make that I actually couldn't wait to get home and cook some. :) 

Being a fan of breakfast food, the class was also taught how to make tocino from scratch! The above photo shows the marination. Again, very simple to do and what's nice is there's no red coloring and is salitre free. 

The more challenging dish to make was the roast chicken since it requires more time and more ingredients. I was up to the challenge and raised my hand ASAP when asked to help. 

One of my favorite part was making mushroom sauce from scratch! Almost like Campbell's mushroom soup, but hey better fresh than canned! Very quick and easy to do!

The picture above shows roux. Roux is flour cooked in butter. Roux is very versatile because you can mix it with almost anything! If you want your sauces or dishes to be creamier, just add this up! What's nice is roux can last for more than a month if placed in freezer. :)

Above photo shows the BBQ chicken legs we baked. Super easy and simple to do, plus it's healthy and is really made from scratch.

Last but not the least, Chef Len taught us how to dress salad and how to make dressings from scratch. She says that salad should still have that "oomph" and light touch to it. It shouldn't be heavily drenched with dressing since you still want that crunch.

After 3 hours of cooking..picture time!Had such a blast at Feed 5000. I 'm so delighted to know that healthy cooking need not be expensive and difficult. :)

FEED 5000

186 Luzon Drive

Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa

For inquiries: 09178428496

Oceana Nail Club

Hidden in the seemingly dark and deserted GF&P building in Salcedo Village is an oasis waiting to be discovered by women who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Makati's crazy work life and get the ultimate pampering they so rightly deserve. When I first stepped in, I was amazed at how beautiful the interiors were. It seemed like the kind of place that should be seen in Ayala malls or at some posh looking area like BGC. 

The name Oceana really sticks to the theme of the nail club since it has that beach like vibe that will surely relax their customers. The place is really like you're in beach heaven! What I love about this place is that its modest and inviting. It's a place I'd really like to go when I want to clear my mind, relax, read a good magazine while having their very friendly staff pamper my nails and feet. 

Reception area

Products they use include China Glaze, Orly, and Misa (Vegan nail polish)

Beach like cozy interiors

Thanks to Dra. Jett, I got to try their manicure, pedicure, hand and foot paraffin service! We started with the hand and foot paraffin since my hands need to be soft as a baby''s ass before they start doing the polish. 

First, my hands were dipped in lukewarm water and were moisturized. After that, the paraffin was being melted and prepared. After preparation, my hands were placed on top of the tub, and hot melted paraffin was was polished on my skin.

It was honestly really hot as the first brush of wax touched my skin, but after several brushes my skin got used to it. They did the same for my feet. My feet were placed in a wooden bucket with warm water for cleansing. Then they placed the hot wax on my feet. 

After this process, plastic was wrapped around my hands and feet. I believe this was done to lock in the moisture while waiting for the wax to harden. Towels were also wrapped after the plastic has been placed for comfort. 

While waiting for the wax paraffin to harden...picture time!!

After my hand and paraffin wax, the manicure and pedicure were done. Since I'm really not familiar with manis and pedis, I had to ask the staff what were the steps being done. I'm super glad the staff were very well informed. First they placed this pink liquid or the cuticle remover. As you can see in the picture below, they were scraping it out and brushing it off. 

Next they file my nails. Apparently this is done to even it out. After, they buff my nails to smoothen it out. :) Buffing is my favorite part of the process since it made my nails feel brand new. XD

I got excited when the caviar nails were being done! First, they coated my nails with China Glaze nail polish. :) While my nails were still wet, the caviar nails were placed on my nails. They do this so the caviar sticks to the wet polish. When excess caviar is placed, they tap out the excess and place it in a small tub to catch the caviar.

And there you go! The amazing, new and trending caviar nails! Try it out now! Only 17 pesos per nail! Available in several colors!

Check out Oceana Nail Club through their Facebook page!

Oceana Nail Club

GF, GF&P Bldg., 139  HV Dela Costa Street

Salcedo Village, Makati City

For Reservations: (02)5196030

Star Movies Cafe

If you're a movie junkie who doesn't mind being approached by Darth Vader, seeing Spiderman dance Gangnam Style, and have Iron Man serve your drinks, then this restaurant will surely tickle your fancy. This restaurant gives a Hollywood vibe filled with random memorabilias that will keep you guessing what movie it's from. 

Located on Seaside Blvd. SM Mall of Asia, Star Movies Cafe is a place where you'd want to spend a weekend night with friends and family. The place is filled with statues of famous movie icons such as Shrek, the T-Rex from Jurassic Park, a clone trooper from Star Wars, and the Terminator. They also have frames of famous celebrities with autographs. 

From what I've observed, the place seats couples, families, and barkadas. Each table always has customers smiling or laughing at the performances done! From Dream Girls, Sound of Music, and super heroes dancing to the latest dance craze, not a customer will leave the restaurant unsatisfied. 

The buffet line is composed of people excitedly talking about movies and costumes that pass by them. For only 699 pesos, buffet enthusiasts get all you can eat on beef, pork, chicken, patties, potatoes, salad, sausages, bread, etc! What I love about the set up is I got to see the kitchen right behind the buffet station. Seeing all the hustle and bustle in the kitchen and placing fresh food on the buffet trays made me more excited to eat the patties and the sausages!

Their patties taste so succulent and juicy! Their sausages are filled with flavor. The bbq sauce really went well with the burger. Lettuce was very crunchy and the buns are thick and huge. 

The best part was I got to have a picture with Darth Vader and his red lightsaber!!

Best way to end a dinner buffet! A pic with Vader and his red saber!

Just want to say thank you to Faith and Kawasake San for the free buffet! :) 

Get to know Star Movies Cafe  through their FB page and their official website!

Rodrigo's Roast Beef

It all started when Julian Rodrigo DelaCruz (aka JR) had a huge appetite for roast beef. Back in the day, he  found eating roast beef  a huge delight because it was expensive. He decided to learn how to cook roast beef and send it to friends as gifts, instead of eating out and paying a lot for roast beef.

With his partner and girlfriend Deonna Lynn Fernandez (aka Deonna), they decided to put up a restaurant in a street filled with lots of good eats. It was quite a challenge to be a new restaurant where there are a lot of competitors, but at the back of my mind I knew Rodrigo's would be a place people will flock. First, they are the ONLY restaurant in the south that really specializes in roast beef. Second, the prices are inexpensive. People won't be intimidated to come in and eat with friends or family. Third, the staff and the owners are very friendly and accommodating. You'll probably spot Deonna or JR asking for feedback on the food.

 And lastly, WHO DOESN'T LOVE ROAST BEEF?

Thanks to JR and Deonna, I was able to sample their best selling dishes. Now your favorite part. I will describe every dish they've made my happy stomach savor. XD

1. Wickedly Good Mashed Potatoes

-Their potatoes are all natural and freshly made every order. You won't see them use those instant mashed potato packs. The gravy that complements the mashed potato is made from the drippings of the roast beef mixed with mushroom sauce. Served with a pinch of garlic chips. I personally love how soft the mashed potatoes are. Their gravy is nothing like I've ever tasted. It has that "roast beef buttery" taste that just mixes so well with the potatoes. 

2. Coleslaw

-Their coleslaw is composed of cabbage, carrots, a bit of onion and mayo. The ingredients were first drenched in salt and vinegar to give it that tangy taste. 

3. Macaroni Salad

-The macaroni is cut into small bits mixed with carrot bits, celery, shredded chicken and pineapple bits. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is THE BEST MACARONI SALAD I've ever tasted. I instantly fell in love with the creamy taste of it. Not too sweet, and everything just mixed so well. 

4. House Blend Iced Tea

-This is THE drink to have after every roast beef experience. It has that lemony zest that isn't so overpowering because it's mellowed with that sweet honey taste. I love Deonna for always offering me one! If she's reading this, I'm begging her to teach me this concoction. :P

5. Rodrigo's Signature Side Salad

-Has no anchovies (basically allergic free!), has croutons, Parmesan and roast beef bits. Made with Rodrigo's signature salad dressing. Makes me wonder what that dressing is made of. 

6. Creamed Spinach

-Another bestseller! Drenched in heavy cream onion. Doesn't even taste like your typical spinach. Kids will surely love it because the heavy cream onion managed to remove the "pait" factor of the spinach. Parents, make sure you make your kids try it! I swear they'll make Popeye run for his money!

7. The "Joe Hoc" Manwich

-For those who are asking, "Joe" is actually a batchmate in a frat and best friend of JR from Zobel. He suggested JR to come up with a sandwich that's bigger (or manlier) in size and add lots of cheese. Thus the "Joe Hoc" manwich is made! 

It's a bestseller of the manwiches. JR wanted to keep this sandwich simple because he wants to emphasize on the roast beef instead of adding more unnecessary extras. It's smothered with gravy and cheddar cheese. The sandwich has that "pandesal" texture that's really soft and easy to eat. 

8. Rodrigo's Roast Beef

-Soft. Juicy. No need for gravy because it's packed with so much flavor. I can't elaborate anymore. Best you guys go and try it. ;)

Rodrigo's Roast Beef

21 Aguirre Ave., BF Homes Paranaque

Call: 501-0584

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RodrigosRoastBeef

Thanks for some of the photos!