Xintiandi, Shanghai

If you find yourself in Shanghai's Xintiandi, try the Fountain Bistro and Wine Bar. It is near the fountain (surprise!) and it serves beer, cocktails and wines. Food is great, too! Their Clam Chowder Soup is filling enough. For big eaters, add in an order of Fish and Chips or the Roasted Chicken.

It has a good selection of Tapas.

A mojito costs RMB60, affordable in the standards of Shanghai.

Fountain Bistro & Wine Bar
Lane 181, Taicang Road, North Block
Shanghai Xintiandi
Open until 2 am

How To Get Through A Really Long Day

(The original images of the following steps are not mine. I just found them in an old email and edited them. Enjoy!)









Cheers! (This could work with bottled cocktails as well, I think)

Remembering Summer

So, I was commissioned to contribute for this article on www.spot.ph. It was a tough task but someone had to do it :) Read the entire article here.

Grand Wine Experience: Super Late Post

It's sad I haven't been able to blog since my last visit in Thailand. But the good news is, I've been able to attend the 10th Grand Wine Experience last November 19 and was even asked to write a few lines about it for F&B World Magazine's February 2011 issue. Quoting what I submitted:

"A decade after it was first launched, the Grand Wine Experience marked the milestone with a legendary evening at the New World Hotel in Makati. The first and still the most prestigious annual wine event, this time with the theme “Evolution,” was the brainchild of Ralph Joseph and rest of the Joseph siblings Bobby, Ronnie and Raymond. The wine selection was superb as usual with a sizeable representation of the Old World regions from France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and even Hungary. There were also champagnes, more spirits that debuted at the event and more food. The nightlong entertainment was provided by the Sabor Latino band.

From its humble beginnings, this event has been transformed into a not-to-be-missed with guests in a bigger number year after year. This year’s affair was again graced by Manila’s glitterati, celebrities, diplomats, VIPs from the hospitality and tourism industry, hotels and resorts general managers, restaurant owners, members of the different Chambers of Commerce & Industry, wine enthusiasts, food lovers, and culinary school owners. This wine spectacle’s success has proven its legacy in the young but fast growing Philippine wine industry."

This year's Grand Wine Experience is indeed something to look forward to.

P.S. This cheese was awesome!

Boat Ride and Sirocco

We boarded a Chinese junk (at Shangri-La, Silom) and sailed for a few hours along the Bangkok river. It would have been enjoyable had it not been for a headache I always seem to have in the afternoons when I am in Bangkok. The junk was specially rented. We had drinks and dinner on board.


Lucky we missed the rain!


It was a lovely ride!


Later, we went to Sirocco at Lebua Tower, said to be the "world's largest al fresco restaurant." Located on the 64th floor, the view was fantastic! I had a mojito for THB450. I would recommend one of the house specialties, however.



Sirocco
State Tower
1055/111 Silom Road
Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
02-6249555

Soju, So Good

This bottle of Soju, a JINRO CHAMISUL ORIGINAL SOJU, has been sitting on top of my fridge since last weekend. Finally opened it today, at lunch. And boy, it was good even if it was at room temperature! I got this bottle for Php75 at a newly opened Korean Grocery store along Pioneer, Mandaluyong City, Philippines, across Joey Pepperoni.

We have been wanting to redeem a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts since last weekend and finally did so last night. I think doughnuts are good with beer (and soju!) as these carbs balance the bitterness, and the oils line your stomach. However, while it makes drinking more enjoyable, it is most unhealthy.

I will stick with the soju.

Pulutan Explained

I just realized that there is no explanation on what "unconventional pulutan" is.

According to Wikipedia: "Pulutan (comes from the Filipino word pulutin which literally means "something that is picked up") is a term roughly analogous to the English term "finger food". It originally was a snack accompanied with liquor or beer but has found its way into Philippine cuisine as appetizers or, in some cases, main dishes, as in the case of sisig."

To this definition, I would say the opposite can also be true. There are those pulutan that were main dishes first, before they were discovered to be good with beer or the like. As for me, one of the unconventional pulutan I have ever tried and actually loved is a combination of crushed crackers and tuna in can.