The ultimate viewing experience

With a lot of options in today’s home entertainment, one brand’s new product stands out from the rest.

Samsung recently previewed its Curved Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TV. This latest innovation boasts of crisp picture quality, which is four times more powerful than a Full High-Definition screen; and a change in perspective that makes images appear larger and true-to-life. As compared to flat screen TVs, this special curved screen allows for a more 3D-like viewing experience without the glasses from different angles — ensuring that everyone gets the best seat in the house.

The Samsung Curved UHD TV also allows the screen to be split into two because of its Multi-Link Screen feature where one can continue watching one’s favorite television shows while surfing the web.

Other features include a Quad Core processor that guarantees faster loading websites and navigation. It also has Screen Capture and Sound Capture features that let one save images and audio clips straight from the television with an easy-to-access button on the remote control. This TV also has a new Soccer Mode, which provides advanced features specifically designed for a more enjoyable soccer-watching experience.

The Samsung Curved UHD TV is available in 78-inch, 65-inch and 55-inch variants.

An auspicious meal

Hong Kong’s beloved hole-in-the-wall eatery, Tim Ho Wan, took Manila by storm when it opened at the SM Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall.

Known as the world’s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant, Tim Ho Wan (literally translates to “add good luck”) will also soon open its doors at the SM Mall of Asia.

The lines at the restaurant are always long because of its savory pork buns — a crumbly, fluffy pastry packed with sweet and savory barbecued pork. Also very popular are its steamed egg cake, a velvety custard topped with caramelized crunch; the vermicelli roll with pig’s liver, a silky sliver of vermicelli-wrapped tender and meaty slice of liver; the pan-fried carrot cake, fried beancurd skin roll with shrimp, teochew dumpling, beef ball with beancurd skin and steamed pork dumpling with shrimp.

Much of Tim Ho Wan’s popularity is credited to its premium quality ingredients, prepared fresh and from scratch upon every order. Its founder and chef, Mak Kwai Pui, mastered the art of dim sum for almost four decades. He started to pick up the craft at the tender age of 15. He leads an army of refined dim sum masters, who, like Mak himself, are mostly from Hong Kong.

Tim Ho Wan practices its no-reservations, first-come-first-served policy that is being observed in all its establishments across Asia.

I suggest that you go there between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to be able to get in. The restaurant will have its take-out counter soon!

Despite the long queues, it still is worth going to the restaurant  just for those heavenly pork buns! Don’t be surprised if you see me there as I visit Tim Ho Wan every week!

An evening of food & wine

It was an unforgettable night when Future Trade International Inc., together with Liquor Kingdom Philippines, celebrated Penfolds’ Wine Dinner at Le Jardin in Bonifacio Global City.

Guests tasted their favorite Penfolds wines while enjoying the cozy Parisian ambiance and the splendid sky view of the metro. A full-course dinner of French cuisine was served to guests and loyal partners. The first course was truffled egg partnered with the Koonunga Hill Chardonnay followed by foie gras poêlé, crème de pomme et brioche (foie gras, cream apple and brioche) served with warm and flavorful Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz.

The main course consisted of chevreuil de veau (seared veal tenderloin with berry and veal reduction) with the rich juicy berry taste of Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz. Also served at the dinner was a cheese platter with Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon. Desserts were lemon sorbet and dark chocolate mousse.

It was another successful event for Penfolds following its successful dinner event at Chinatown last February.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)