A taste of South America

Pampas Latino Bistro & Bar is a restaurant that brings together the different flavors of the South American region as appreciated by the Filipino palate.  It is the newest, casual, all-day restaurant at the heart of Uptown Parade in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The restaurant finds its inspiration from the Pampas, the fertile lowlands in South America. The area’s vast, sprawling natural landscape is the bed of the region’s history and culture. The restaurant reflects the multifaceted nature of the land and its people.

During Pampas’ grand opening party, guests were able to try the food and enjoy the ambience of the restaurant. The owners of Pampas believe that a restaurant is a special social space where people experience good food, usually paired with wine, and share stories. Like the characteristic neighborhood fixture, the restaurant is a place to return to, dependable and familiar.

Pampas is here to serve all-time favorite South American dishes and fine wine, deliver consistent service, and become local go-to for a hearty meal and a genuinely good time.

The restaurant offers a dim-sum style appetizer trolley where one can choose freshly prepared appetizers such as crispy tacos, chipotle meatballs, freshly shucked oysters, or the Argentinian favorite onion fugazetta. For the main course, there is a wide selection of slow-roasted asador or parilla meats and steaks. Other favorites include crispy porchetta, grilled lamb ribs and slow charcoal-roasted beef falda complemented by a variety of Chilean and Argentinian wines. Desserts include choco torta, a chocolate layered biscuit with rich dulce de leche cream cheese and a fruity alternative — Malbec-poached pears on Argentinian milk flan with crunchy granola.

(For inquiries and reservations, call 946-3802 or e-mail [email protected]. Visit www.pampasmanila.com.)

Lead the change

Smart recently unveiled a new set of faces to represent its premium postpaid brand, Smart Infinity.

The telecom company renews ties with retail royalty Donnie and Crickette Tantoco, who are joined this year by fashion and art’s power couple Raul and Joanna Francisco to support Smart Infinity in its goal of delivering top-notch service to Filipinos who aspire to lead the change.

On making choices that set the trends, Donnie said, “First of all, we have to understand our customer very well — how she likes to dress herself in the different occasions of her life, whether she’s at work, whether she’s socializing, whether she’s travelling. So we try to understand her lifestyle.”

“If you look at the DNA of Smart and the innovation it has done over the years, I see it is parallel with Joanna and me in our own small way that we are also innovators. We embrace that DNA of leading change, we saw this is something we can really integrate into our lives — the privileges, the services, the concierge,” Raul shared.

Head of Smart Infinity and Smart’s multi-segment marketing Julie Carceller said, “We want to recognize not only those who have conquered their boundaries and attained success in their own lives, but those who have done well in sparking change in other people’s lives as well. We want to inspire others to follow suit by providing them excellent technology and services — tools they need to start leading the change.”

Held at the Provenance Art Gallery at the Fort, the launch provided a well-curated experience for guests as they were treated to an evening of exquisite art, food and music.

Guests were also given a glimpse of the premium lifestyle that is in store for Smart Infinity members.  Smart Infinity enables one to lead the change through priority services and exclusive privileges such as a dedicated infinity officer, a worldwide concierge, and access to special events.

(For more information, visit www.smart.com.ph/infinity.)

All about beef!

Meat lovers, unite!

New World Makati Hotel, in partnership with Canada Beef International Institute and the Canadian Embassy, invites diners to experience the Canadian Beef Advantage once again.

During the sneak press dinner, I was able to try the beef offerings and I guarantee they were tender, juicy and packed with flavor. I would definitely go back.

The hotel’s culinary brigade, led by executive chef Robert Davis, is currently offering this rich and satisfying dining experience through a hotel-wide promotion until Sept. 30.

Diners are invited to visit Jasmine restaurant and be enticed with the tenderness of Canadian beef combined with the flavors of traditional Chinese cuisine. Executive Chinese chef Wong Kam On presents a special à la carte menu with offerings such as diced beef tenderloin with cashew nuts and dough stick, wok-fried beef tenderloin and coriander tips and black pepper beef tenderloin on rice, all offered for lunch and dinner.

Alternatively, diners can explore Café 1228’s enhanced buffet spread, which includes whole house-cured corned beef and aged barley-fed beef. In addition to premium Canadian beef dishes, the restaurant features a host of fresh salads, seafood, international cuisines and maple-syrup-inspired desserts.

The Lounge presents a three-piece set of Canadian sliders for mid-day snacks paired with ice-cold beer. I really loved the Canadian sliders, which came in basil, beet or polenta buns.

(For more information, call 811-6888 or visit newworldhotels.com/manila.)