Last week, I was invited to partake in a Basic Gelato Making Class with Chef Miko Aspiras.  This is part of the debut of Carte D'Or in the Philippines.


We're so lucky that UK's Number 1 Premium Ice Cream Brand Carte D'Or will be available in the Philippines by May 23, 2017. Although it has a dominant presence in Europe such as in Italy, France, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey, we are the very first country to have it in the Southeast Asian region. 


So what distinguishes Carte D'Or from other brands? 


According to Carte D’Or Brand Manager Earl Keh, "Carte D’Or Gelato was crafted with the idea of offering something that’s more than just ice cream. We take pride in sourcing from only the best, no matter where it takes us: from Australian butter to pistachios harvested from South Australia and California; from Belgian chocolate to hazelnuts grown in Turkey...

Each pint of Carte D’Or Gelato is crafted using real cream from Australia.  Using real cream not only gives gelato its creamier texture but also its pure, clean taste."


So you see, the process of making a gelato is basic.  But, it is the ingredients that they use that gives it raises its above the rest.


As you can see, it has a rich, creamy and smooth texture.


Then, mixed with the finest ingredients. 


Watch the video on how we did it!

Pistachio

Carte D’Or Gelato will launch with four flavors:  Pistachio,  Salted Caramel, Double Dark Chocolate and Chocolate Hazelnut.


Love how bittersweet the Double Chocolate is.  But, it is still the Pistachio that won my heart.


Find out more by following  @cartedorph on IG.

There are times when we eat for convenience and there are times when we eat for exploration.  My visit to Bistro United is for the latter.  And, let me tell you I have come to the right place - if not the best place!  Have you tried tilapia ice cream?  Well, if not you have too!  There's also so many other intriguing items on the menu that I just have to share!

Since I wasn't familiar with the area, finding this was a bit of a challenge for me.  Next time, I will search and mark for D Strip instead. 

Love the tiles!

But, I'm so glad I found it!  It was well-decorated and very spacious.

Food
The food is as top-notch as its interiors.

Starters

Smoked Fish Pockets (125 php)

Starting of with the Smoked Fish Pockets.  The triangular taco-shelled finger food delivers an initial crunchy sensation before unleashing the mellow salty, savory and succulent shredded smoked fish filling.
 

♥ Nacho Poppers (105 php)

I think the saying "once you pop, you can't stop" applies to the Nacho Poppers.  The combination of the salsa with the mango is amazing!

Soup & Salad

Crispy Ubod Salad (125 php)

If you want a healthy dish that's offers a fun crunchy experience, then definitely go for the Crispy Ubod Salad.  Love the texture of the components as well the taste of the dressing!

Pasta

Bagnet Ravioli (245 php)

I really admire how bold Bistro United got when they innovated the Bagnet Ravioli.  But, I somehow missed the crunchy skin of the bagnet which I loved that was underplayed in this.


Mains

♥ The Amazing Roast Beef (415 php)

The Round Table's Buffet is famous for The Amazing Roast Beef.  I'm so glad that they've decided to offer this ala carte in Bistro United.  This is truly amazing!!!

♥ Adobo Sa Mangga (395 php)

If you ask me what is the one dish I would pick at Bistro United, then definitely it is the Adobo Sa Mangga.  Can you believe that this doesn't have any soy sauce?  Instead, it has mango puree and bagoong?  I've never encountered something so interesting and balanced at the same time.

♥ Dalandan Chicken with Ube Rice (245 php)

I'm really biased towards Ube.  Since my childhood, I could not resist ordering Ube food products and dishes upon discovering their availability.  So naturally, I liked the Dalandan Chicken with Ube Rice.  Although I have to admit, if the Ube flavor is stronger, I would have loved it even more.

♥ Porchetta Kare-Kare (245 php)

The Porchetta Kare-Kare is another must try!  I'm not recommending it for the porchetta alone but also for the rich delicious sauce.


All Day Breakfast

Arroz Caldo Overload (155 php)

While the Arroz Caldo Overload did not appeal as intriguing as the other dishes, it gave me a nice nostalgic comforting feeling.

Burgers

♥ Spiced Salmon Burger (340 php)

The Spiced Salmon Burger is delicious!  I still prefer Slice's Salmon Burger but this comes so close.  I'd settle for this anytime of the day.

♥ Roast Beef Po-Boy (330 php)

If you prefer sandwiches or need a to go meal, the Roast Beef Po-Boy is a great alternative to the The Amazing Roast Beef.

Fried Chicken Sandwich (255 php)

Look at the beautiful egg!  That is what makes eating this Fried Chicken Sandwich a challenge if you're a neat freak.  But, totally worth it.


Dessert

Banana Fritters with Salted Yema

When you're used to eating our local favorite "turon", the Banana Fritters with Salted Yema could take a while before you're taste buds could get used too.  But indeed, the crunchy, mushy, salty and sweet combination works well.

Double Baked Brownies

The Double Baked Brownies is moist and fudgy at the same time. 

Gold Medal Carrot Cake

My companions enjoyed the Gold Medal Carrot Cake.  Since I'm not much of a sweet eater, I found this too sweet for me.

♥ Tilapia Ice Cream

Don't ever dine at Bistro United without having to try their Tilapia Ice Cream.  It is really good!  I actually bought a pint of this for 275 php.  It's such a great welcome treat for house guests.  All of them seemed quite pleased with the new and interesting experience. 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Tsinoy Foodies highly recommends Bistro United for an amazingly unique dining experience.  Seriously, this place deserves more buzz with its genius menu items!  Plus, the ambiance and service is superb too. 

I know you feel a bit guilty whenever you have that craving to munch some potatoes.  Yes, we all have that inkling for having that smooth, soft and mushy texture of US Potatoes that massages our mouth unlike any other.



Well, go ahead!  Have some.  I’m not going to stop you.  In fact, I’m giving you the Top 4 Reasons why you should give in to your US potato craving.


1.    For detoxification
With our daily exposure to toxins, we need all the help we can get to get rid of free radicals from the body.  Potatoes contain carotenoids, flavonoids, and caffeic acid, as well as unique tuber storage proteins, such as patatin that works wonderfully in doing that.


2.    For nutrition
We should eat nutrition-rich foods to meet the daily nutritional requirement.  Need a boost on vitamin C, potassium, iron and vitamin B6?  Then, have some US potato.  It has more vitamin C than tomato and sweet potato and has more potassium than bananas.

3.    For digestion
US potatoes are rich in dietary fiber.  One medium potato with skin contributes 2 grams of fiber of 8% of the daily value per serving.

4.    For heart health
US Potatoes are cholesterol-free, naturally sodium free and have zero saturated fat.  Dietary fiber improves blood lipid levels, regulating blood glucose, and increasing satiety.  While, Vitamin C protects the arteries and Vitamin B6 reduces levels of homocysteine of the high levels have been implicated in the heart disease and stroke.

For more infor check out Potatoes USA Philippines Facebook page

Dining options have grown over the years.  But, there just seems something about Filipino food that makes me crave for it once in awhile.  It's kind of like when you wander far to the most amazing places but then, you know your heart still wants to go back home.  So this time, I ended up trying Mangan which specializes in Kapampanan food.

I've always believed that Kapampangan food is one of the tastiest of our local cuisine.

Having had several food trips in Pampanga, I would say this is up a notch over the restaurants there when it comes to interiors.  This makes it more appealing to expats and balikbayans.

Food

Aliw-Aliwang Sisig

Sisig ni Mely (260 php)

When it comes to Kapampangan dishes, how can we forget sisig?  The Sisig ni Mely came out as a surprise for us because of its unusual style of serving - wrapped in banana leaves.

Sisig ni Mely (260 php)

It gives you the pleasure of unwrapping your irresistible order of Sisig ni Mely.

Manyamang Gule

Laing with Dulong (190 php)

To lessen your guilt, why not balance with an order of Laing with Dulong?

Crispy Pata

Original Crispy Pata (100 php/100g)

That is.. before we proceed to the highlights of our meal.  Some prefer the Original Crispy Pata.

Pritson Pata (150 php/100g)

Perhaps because of my Chinese root and being used to eating peking duck that I had fun with the Pritson Pata.

Patang Demonyo (125 php/100g)

But, hey I dare all the spicy food lovers out there to try the Patang Demonyo.

Mapaling Sebo

Bulalong Baka with Mais (425 php)

One bang for the buck to order for sharing is their Bulalong Baka with Mais.

Mga Karne

Kare-Kare Buntot ng Baka (395 php)

One of the best to order is the Kare-Kare Buntot ng Baka. 

Merienda

Pansit Pusit (190 php)

For staple, you can skip the rice dishes for the Pansit Pusit or...

Pancit Puti (140 php)

the very interesting Pancit Puti.  How can be amazingly savory and delicious without any sauce???

Ispesyal Ning Bale

Bibingka Plain (120 php)

Save room for Bibingka

Puto Bumbong (110 php)

or Puto Bumbong.

Puto Bumbong (110 php)

and Puto Bumbong.

Panghimagas

Tibok-tibok with Latik (120 php)

But, when it comes to Kapampangan dessert, you shouldn't miss the Tibok-tibok with Latik.

Drinks