What's on the Menu: 26 years of Filipino dining culture at Saisaki

MANILA, Philippines - Saisaki has long been a part of Filipino dining culture — 26 years, to be exact. First Foods president Vicvic Villavicencio hit upon a winning formula when he launched Saisaki 26 years ago. Combining a “No Leftover 50-percent off” system, with top-notch service, generous portions, and fresh, quality food offerings, Villavicencio gave customers the means to try real Japanese cuisine. “Filipinos like getting huge portions of food, because they like sharing what they have on their plates with everyone else, so we modified our sizes to make them just right for sharing,” said Vicvic Villavicencio. Saisaki constantly refreshes its lineup, regularly replacing 20 percent of the existing menu with new dishes to try. Wanting to debunk the idea that buffet is simply glorified self-service, he also instructed his waiters to serve food to customers who request particular items. “To personalize the experience, our servers are also required to taste the food themselves so that they can give relevant recommendations to our diners,” he adds.

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So Pinoy: Sinigang na hipon at Gerry’s Grill

Sinigang na hipon sa bayabas at Gerry’s Grill

Gerry’s Grill’s new offerings such as sinigang na hipon sa bayabas, baby squid, cara beef tapa, kinilaw na hipon, are now certified best-sellers. Available in Gerry’s 47 branches nationwide, these Pinoy dishes have satisfied the most discerning palates and have become cult favorites. Gerry’s celebrates its 15th anniversary with the opening of its first branch in Qatar and its second in Singapore this month. For details, visit www.gerrysgrill.com.

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Run for the mangroves: The deluxe room at Acacia Hotel Manila

Runners get exclusive deals at Acacia Hotel Manila

Acacia Hotel Manila is all geared up for the 5th Condura Skyway Marathon (CSM) “2012: Run for the Mangroves.”

Acacia Hotel Manila is offering room and dining discounts to all CSM registered runners. By simply presenting running bibs, runners may avail of room and dining discounts on Feb. 4 and 5. Deluxe Rooms are at P5,500 inclusive of buffet breakfast for two, use of the swimming pool, complimentary 30-minute foot massage (available at a specified time only), free parking, an Acacia Hotel aromatherapy eye pack, and free shuttle service going to Alabang Town Center and Festival Mall. A 15 percent discount will be given for lunch and dinner buffet at the Acaci coffee shop or take advantage of the 5+1 buffets deal (for every group of six, one guest dines for free). Likewise, a 10 percent discount will be extended at The Lobby at Acacia. Acacia Hotel Manila is located just two minutes away from the marathon’s start and finish line.

For information, call 720-2000 or 588 5888, visit www.acaciahotelsmanila.com, follow the hotel on Facebook (Acacia Hotels Manila) and Twitter (AcaciaHotels).

Healthy in a pot: Chicken hotpot at GoodAh

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P149 GoodAhotpot at GoodAh

GoodAh!!! introduces the GoodAhotpot, which was formally launched at GoodAh’s Congressional Avenue branch in QC. The GoodAhotpot comes in four variations: beef, fish, pork and chicken. The beef variation comes with tender all-beef meat, plus healthy shiitake mushrooms, tasty meatballs, crabsticks, egg noodles, and Tagalog pechay. The fish variation is loaded with fish meat, shiitake mushrooms, fish cake, crabsticks, Tagalog pechay, egg noodles, and bamboo ring. The pork and chicken flavors are also included in the GoodAhotpot line. The GoodAhotpot is priced at P149.

GoodAh has branches at Parañaque, San Juan, Malabon, QC, Las Piñas, Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas, and Antipolo.

For information, visit www.goodah.com.ph and www.facebook.com/goodahopen25hours.

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Start the day right: Casa Roces omelette at Casa Roces

Spanish omelette, pate de pescado at Casa Roces

Casa Roces, the fine dining place right in the heart of the capital, offers its unique take on the English classic, Eggs Benedict Spanish-style, with tangy tomato sauce on the poached egg topped with jamon and asparagus spears; or the Casa Roces omelette, with its trademark Spanish flavor with tomato puree and served with toasted pandesal, with a choice of savory or vegetable. The steak and eggs, beef tenderloin steak with sauce espagnole or their Chipolata sausage, pan-grilled. Both are served with eggs (any style) and toasted croissant. Other dishes include the paté de pescado, warm and creamy paté with black caviar and toasted baguette with a choice of bacalao caviar, salmon mousse or a sampling of both, through paté de pescado duo. Vegetarians will also find comfort with roasted tomato soup, a puree of tomato with herbed roasted tomato. Pasta lovers have a reason to visit the place with their nouvelle offering, prawns thermidor linguine. For dessert, there’s Malacañan frozen soufflé, a frozen lemon custard soufflé with dark chocolate flakes, pistachio nuts and lemon lavender sauce.

Casa Roces is at 1153 J. P. Laurel corner Aguado Sts., San Miguel, Manila, in front of Malacañan Palace.

For information, call 735-5896 or 708-4020; e-mail reservations@casaroces.com or visit Casa Roces at Facebook.

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All-time favorite: Waffle Time’s menu consists of 16 savory-filled and sweet-filled variants.

Party time with Waffle Time

Celebrate your birthday at Waffle Time for the affordable price of P5,000. The friendly, huggable mascot, Waffy will attend your party and there will be a Waffle Time cart at the event venue. A service crew will cook the waffles on site. The basic package includes 100 waffles of various flavors of your choice. You can select from Waffle Time’s menu of 16 savory-filled and sweet-filled variants and come up with a mix that will appeal to all ages. Easy to eat, filling, and healthier than other fried options, waffles are appreciated by kids and adults alike.

For information, call or SMS 0922-8923385, 092-09622389, visit to www.waffletime.com.