That’s why it’s always a treat when supermarkets have something to keep all members of the family happy.

We got to tour the new All Day Supermarket at Evia Lifestyle Center with Mothers Who Brunch a few weeks ago, and I think I may have found my new go-to supermarket.

Gastroville

As soon as we entered All Day Supermarket, we were greeted by Gastroville, their take on a mini food court. The food stalls serve a variety of dishes from takoyaki, sausages, nachos, and banh mi, to grilled meat, Singaporean roasts, Pinoy street food, Greek favorites, and Korean fares. Perfect for hungry shoppers who would like to grab a bite to eat while doing the groceries. Yes, we were told that you could eat while going down the grocery aisles! How awesome is that?!?

My favorites from the stalls we’ve tried so far? The takoyaki from Takoichi, the beef souvlaki from Greek Ave, and the brown sugar milk tea from Bubble Wraps.

Paluto

The thing that makes All Day Supermarket unique from other groceries is definitely their Paluto station. The concept is simple: you choose the ingredients from the grocery’s selection of fresh meat and produce, and they cook while you shop. So convenient! The whole family can enjoy the same comfort of a home cooked meal, hot and fresh, right after shopping for the groceries. You also have the option of taking the food to go, perfect for days when there’s no time to cook. Such a saving grace for busy moms like me, because really, there are some days when we just need the extra hand.

Deli & Cheese

My favorite part of All Day Supermarket is definitely the Deli & Cheese section. It’s so hard to find groceries that have a variety of fine cold cuts, sausages, and cheese, so I was ecstatic to see that All Day is well-stocked. Aside from the huge selection of cold meat like salami, prosciutto, and chorizo, and cheese like manchego and gouda with black truffle, their deli section also has a few dried fruits that you can pick by weight. I made sure to grab some dried cranberries and dried apricot to snack on.

Oh, and did I mention that they have raclette, too? Oh my cheese, indeed!

International Food Stop

What made me most excited about All Day Supermarket was seeing a great selection of International products. They have aisles and shelves filled with foreign goodies that you don’t normally find in local grocery stores. Lots of pantry staples from all over the world! I spotted products from USA, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Looking for some Japanese noodles, imported chocolate, international sauces and condiments, or some hard to find snacks? They have it!

They even have some Trader Joe’s products!!!! I spotted Speculoos cookies in cookie butter, and in chocolate, too! No need to buy online or get family from the US to stock up for me!

And if I went gaga over the pantry staples at the International section, I almost screamed with delight when I passed by the frozen section. I couldn’t believe my eyes, they had my favorite ice cream– Ben & Jerry’s strawberry cheesecake!!! I have been looking everywhere for this. While some local groceries and membership supermarkets carry Ben & Jerry’s, I have never seen a tub of strawberry cheesecake in Manila ever. Now I know where to go when I want to stock up!

A One-Stop Shop

All Day Supermarket at Evia Lifestyle Center is really a one stop shop for all your grocery needs. They have the freshest produce available, with a variety of local and imported fruits and vegetables to choose from. Their meat section, with both fresh and frozen options, is impressive. Both their home essentials and health & beauty sections are well-stocked. They even have organic products from local brands like Ilog Maria and Messy Bessy.

With All Day Supermarket’s extensive offerings, it is easily becoming my favorite grocery store. I love how it has everything I need to stock up my pantry with both local and international products. Doing the grocery with my daughter in tow is no longer a struggle, thanks to their Gastroville and Paluto sections. I can just easily buy her a quick snack when she gets hungry, and I can go back to my fuss-free grocery shopping!

Here’s a short video of me sharing about my All Day Supermarket experience, including my top 3 finds:

All Day Supermarket

Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari Road
Website: https://allday.com.ph
Facebook: All Day Supermarket
Instagram: @alldaysupermarketph

Mothers Who Brunch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MothersWhoBrunch
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Evia Lifestyle Center

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Instagram: @evialifestylecenter

Two weeks ago, I finally got the mommy break that I needed over a #HappyLunch at CDP Global Table. Together with some Mothers Who Brunch friends, we shared stories of our motherhood highs and lows, while trying dish after dish of mouth-watering goodness.

CDP Global Table (Chef Du Partie), founded by Malou Fores of Mamou and Recovery Food, Katrina Alcantara of Mesclun and Chuck’s Deli, and Kristine Locsin formerly of Lu in 2014, is a quaint bar and restaurant offering a taste of world flavors. A global table, serving dishes influenced by the travels of the three restaurant heads and their love for Paris, New York and Manila.

During our lunch, we were treated to some of the restaurant’s bestsellers, as well as the fresh additions to their menu. Check out some of the dishes that we tried:

Squash Flowers

These Squash Flowers, fried in a light batter and served with blue cheese sauce, was surprisingly good. Crispy, with a lingering sweet floral flavor, it was the perfect start to our meal!

Chorizo Quesadilla

Made with CDP’s homemade chorizo, this Chorizo Quesadilla was cheesy and savory. Something I would definitely go back for.

Nicoise Cups

A variation of the classic French salad, CDP’s Nicoise Cups is a star on its own. Seared tuna, on a bed of romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, olives, hard boiled egg, and served with anchovy vinaigrette, each bite is packed with so much flavor, without being too heavy.

Manuka Chèvre

Arugula, lola rosa, dried cranberries, fuet, almonds, Malagos chèvre, cherry tomatoes and pine nuts, tossed and drizzled with red wine vinaigrette, manuka honey and extra virgin olive oil.

Mussels in Tarragon Cream, Tomato Clam Broth and Curry

Local mussels, served three different ways. My favorite among the three? Mussels in Tarragon Cream! There was just something about the creamy soup, plus the aroma and flavor of the tarragon that made me want to slurp the soup dry!

Prawn Pappardelle

This Prawn Pappardelle was a favorite among the mommies!

Maine Lobster Vongole

Vongole, done right! Spaghettini, fennel bulb, Manila clams, and lobster tail, flown in all the way from Maine!

Duck Olio

I’m a fan of Aglio Olio, and this Duck Olio takes the simple flavors of garlic and olive oil a notch higher, with the addition of duck oil and duck confit floss. So good! I think my six-year-old would enjoy this, too!

Steak Frites

400 grams USDA Prime Ribeye, cooked medium rare. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Need I say more?

Barbecue Ribs

Another meat favorite, CDP’s Barbecue Ribs are served with corn on cob, coleslaw and mashed potato.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Something to please the kids, CDP makes their Chicken Cordon Bleu really well. Crunchy on the outside, tender meat, and oozing with lots of cheese inside. Yes, please!

Porchetta

Tender pork belly, with the skin still crispy, just the way porchetta should be! Bursting with flavor, this went really well with the mashed potatoes.

Aperol Spritz

We enjoyed all the delectable dishes with our glasses of Aperol Spritz. A concoction of Proseco, Aperol Vanilla liquor and soda water, this light and refreshing aperitif was the perfect cocktail for the hot summer day. With just the right combination of bitter, sweet and bubbly, it makes it hard to resist the temptation of ordering another glass! No worries and no judgement; CDP currently has a Happy Lunch promo of 2 for 1 on house wines, spritzes, beers and CDP cocktails!

L-R: Leona, Gia, Michelle, Nikki, Marie, Em, Maggie, Sabrina, me, and Sheila

I had to rush off for school pickup right after we were done with our mains. I missed out on the dessert and more mommy fun, but I wasn’t too bummed out; two hours spent enjoying the company of like-minded women over drinks and yummy food, was enough for me to feel recharged and ready for all the motherhood duties waiting for me. While driving back to my daughter, I already felt happier and more relaxed. I must remind myself to take these mini breaks more often.

What about you? When was the last time you took a break? Go on, take that break. Don’t feel guilty. Take an hour or two off and maybe have a glass or two at CDP Global Table in Rockwell, while you’re at it. I know I’ll be back, soon!

CDP Global Table

148B Level R1 Power Plant Mall, Lopez Drive, Rockwell Center
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CDPGlobalTable
Instagram: @cdpglobaltable

Mothers Who Brunch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MothersWhoBrunch
Instagram: @motherswhobrunch

McCormick’s Flavor Nation Festival, held last May 13, brought the flavors of East Asia to life, as they launched their latest: Agemono Fry Set and Dipping Sauce. We got to try some authentic Japanese dishes, cooked using the fry sets and sauces, and saw for ourselves how easy they are to recreate in our our own homes.

The new McCormick Agemono Fry Sets come in three variants: Tempura, Karaage and Tonkatsu, each one containing a packet of coating mix and sauce to match.

While the new McCormick Sauces come in bottles of: Tonkatsu, Teriyaki, Sweet Chili and Sriracha.

The Tempura Agemono Fry Set comes with 90g Tempura Coating Mix and 30g Tempura Sauce.

Samplers were served during the McCormick Flavor Nation Festival, and they were a hit! The shrimps were coated in the Tempura Mixture (combined with ice cold water to make a batter) and deep-fried to a crisp. Served with the Tempura Sauce, every bite felt like we were dining at a fancy Japanese restaurant!

The Karaage Agemono Fry Set comes with 60g Karaage Coating Mix and 25g Sweet Chili Sauce.

Making this Chicken Karaage is pretty simple. You just need to toss bite-size pieces of boneless chicken in the Coating Mix, then deep fry until golden. Drizzle with the Sweet Chili Sauce, and you’ll have dinner ready within minutes!

Can’t get enough of the Sweet Chili Sauce? It’s also available by the bottle. Yum!

The Tonkatsu Agemono Fry Set comes with 85g Tonkatsu Coating Mix and 25g Tonkatsu Sauce.

Pork Tonkatsu is a favorite of the family, and cooking this at home is now easier, thanks to  the new  Tonkatsu Agemono Fry Set. By simply dipping some pork loin in egg wash, coating them with the Coating Mix, then deep-frying until golden brown, you’ll have this delicious meal ready in no time. Serve with white rice, some shredded cabbage and a side of Tonkatsu sauce for dipping, and your family will think you’re some kind of Japanese chef rockstar! Woot!

The Tonkatsu Sauce is available by the bottle, too. Perfect for endless Tonkatsu dipping!

For those who like a spicy kick, there’s the new McCormick Sriracha Sauce, available by the bottle. You can add the sauce to anything from egg, bread and pizza, to fried munchies like these Fish Cake Balls. Remember to drizzle lightly, because it’s hot, hot, hot!

The McCormick Teriyaki Sauce is also available by the bottle. This sauce can be used to marinate meat, or for dipping. Prefect for some Grilled Chicken Teriyaki.

The Agemono Fry Sets and Dipping Sauces can be used in many different ways. During the Festival, my favorite mommy duo, Michelle Aventajado and Sabrina Go of Mothers Who Brunch, shared some recipes to make simple, yet tasty meals using McCormick’s latest products.

Like this Kale Tempura with Spicy Tuna & Salmon Salad. This dish was made by coating kale in tempura batter (using the coating mix inside McCormick’s Tempura Agemono Fry Set), and deep-frying each piece to a crisp. The crunchy kale was then topped with bite-size chunks of fresh salmon and tuna, tossed in a mixture of McCormick Sriracha Sauce and mayonnaise. Simple, easy, and extra yummy!

Check out the full recipe: HERE.

They also shared how to make these Shrimp & Kani Tonkatsu Sliders with Sweet Chili Mayonnaise. Super filling, super good!

Check out the full recipe: HERE.

Sampled the food and the East Asian flavors with these mommas; the yummy food and the good company made the sweltering heat more bearable. We can’t wait to try making these dishes in our own homes.

With McCormick’s new Agemono Fry Sets and Dipping Sauces, cooking delicious food at home is so much easier. With the Fry Sets ranging from ₱59 to ₱62 each, and the Dipping Sauces varying from ₱75 to ₱115, serving restaurant-quality meals at home, is not only possible, it’s more affordable, too! Preparing yummy family meals that are both easy and budget-friendly? Mom-approved!

McCormick Philippines

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccormickfriendsandflavor
Instagram: @mccormickphils

Mothers Who Brunch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MothersWhoBrunch
Instagram: @motherswhobrunch

Now I normally don’t head out of Makati during rush hour, let alone rush hour on a weekday (spell insane traffic, yo!), but I couldn’t resist the temptation of a food crawl. Thankfully, driving from Makati to Daang Hari Road was surprisingly a breeze and took only 30 minutes via Skyway/SLEX and MCX. I arrived at Evia armed with an empty stomach, ready to try some of the enticing food and dining options waiting for us.

Tiger Leaf

We started the food crawl with some Southeast Asian cuisine at Tiger Leaf.

With the restaurant’s vibrant decor, Indochine elements and colorful details, we could already tell that we were in for a treat! We were served Crispy Catfish Salad and freshly grilled Chicken Satay.

The catfish salad was fresh, crunchy, and tangy, with just the right amount of sweet, hot and sour dressing! Yum!

The chicken satay, served on a mini charcoal grill, were really good! The skewers were grilled to perfection– moist and tender, with the skin crispy. Dipped in peanut sauce and enjoyed with a spoonful of turmeric rice and a bit of their homemade achar, every mouthful burst with so much flavor, my Indo-loving palate was dancing in delight!

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen

After our Asian appetizers, we walked over to Mama Lou’s where a lavish grazing table, filled to the brim with a fresh display of yummy mouthfuls, greeted us as we entered. I mean, just look at that! It was definitely a feast for the eyes and tummy!

There were plenty of munchies to choose from. From the salad, the bread, the assortment of dips and spread, to the fine selection of cheese, cold cuts, fresh fruits, vegetable crudités, nuts, olives, chocolate and other garnishes. It was a spread, delectably styled, perfect for any celebration!

In addition to the tasty nibbles, we also got to try their Braised Short Ribs with Fresh Egg Yolk Pasta, and their Spinach and Honey Goat Cheese with Truffle Pizza (yum-oh!). Both are a must-try! I would have been contented staying and grazing my way to more servings, but we had five more restaurants to go, and before we knew it, it was time to head to our next stop.

Merlion’s Cuisine

For our third stop, we trooped over to Merlion’s Cuisine for some authentic Singaporean cuisine.

This spread was definitely a treat to my palate. Having lived in Singapore for seven years, it is no surprise that Singaporean food is one of my ultimate comfort food. Although I only managed a few bites, the Fried Tofu, Char Siew and Roast Pork were all on point. We were also served Hainanese Chicken, Roasted Chicken, Soya Sauce Chicken, BBQ Pork Ribs,  Bak But Teh, and Mango Sago with Pomelo for dessert.

I get a craving for Singapore’s diverse array of flavors often, and I’m glad to know that I have Merlion’s Cuisine in the South within reach. I already vowed myself to go back soon, to try their laksa.

Mesa

Our fourth stop was at Mesa, for some modern Filipino fare.

At the beginning of the food crawl, I was determined to only take a small bite from each establishment. I needed to pace myself to be able to make it through seven stops. Mesa made it pretty difficult to resist that extra serving, when they presented us their spread.

The main star of this food stop was definitely their signature Crispchon served two ways: tossed in chili garlic, and the other wrapped in their homemade malunggay crepe. I quite liked mine wrapped in the crepe, much like how Peking duck is served. The crispy lechon was delectably sinful and paired perfectly well with soft texture of the wrap. Dipped in my choice of garlic mayo, its explosion of flavors got me reaching for more!

We also tried the Tinapa Rolls and Suahe On The Rocks, where they cooked live shrimps on a bed of hot rocks, right by your table.

We sipped on Kamias Shake in between bites, and it made for the perfect palate cleanser. Light, refreshing, and not overly sweet, too!

Another Story

After four restaurants, you would think we were already done, but no, Mother’s Who Brunch and Evia Lifestyle Center were truly spoiling our bellies during the food crawl.

Our fifth stop was at Another Story, where we tried two of their sumptuous dishes: Grilled Salmon, and Angus Prime Rib Eye Steak. I have to say that both were cooked to perfection and a must-try.

My salmon-loving six-year-old would go crazy over this herb-crusted dish! The bed of cream sauce worked perfectly well with the salmon. Paired with the creamy mashed potato? This comfort food is a winner!

The serving of their steak is huge! Perfect for sharing, really, but I’m sure my carnivore husband wouldn’t have trouble finishing an entire plate all by himself.

We ate our meal in a more relaxed pace, so we were able to admire and enjoy the restaurant’s beautifully-designed space, brimming with whimsy. Filled with an eclectic mix of decor and furniture pieces, each corner was oozing with charm. All the colors and quirky accessories make for a cozy spot for a date night or a relaxed meal with the family.

Teppanya

Now what do you do when you are served steak one after the other? You sit back and enjoy both, of course! This A5 Wagyu Ribeye BMS 9 from Teppanya is as good as any wagyu can get with its superior marbling.

Prepared teppanyaki-style, no extra seasoning was added while it was being cooked medium rare right in front of us. The result was a meat so tender and buttery soft, its melt-in your-mouth goodness made us forget that we had just grazed through 5 other cuisines. No, no! We didn’t mind savoring an extra bite of this. Or was it three for me? Probably even four! It was that good!

Perfectly paired with their Hokkaido Salt Crusted Oysters, too!

The Cheesecake Fairy

After sampling six restaurants full of meat and other savory and belly-filling dishes, we finally settled down at The Cheesecake Fairy for our much-needed sweet fix.

This fairy tale inspired dessert spot in Evia is a cheesecake lover’s haven. We got to try four of their bestselling cheesecakes: Strawberry, Oreo, Salted Caramel and Ube Macapuno. Of course I was swooning over the salted caramel cheesecake. No surprise there, because hello, cheesecake and caramel? Those are two of my favorite things!

We took our time and enjoyed our little afternoon tea, while chitchatting and catching up with the mommies. So much laughter and inspiration from these beautiful women. These relaxed moments in mommy gatherings are what I really look forward to, as I get to unwind and share stories with like-minded women. It’s a great break from the daily mommy life, really.

My Mother’s Cupboard

Now, I don’t really have to make a lengthy post about how pretty My Mother’s Cupboard is, because a quick flip through their Instagram page, and you’ll know what I’m talking about, but really, any mother would swoon over their gorgeous pieces! A tip to all husbands: bring your wife for some shopping at My Mother’s Cupboard, and you’ll win the husband-of-the-year award, for sure!

Before heading back to our normal lives, Mish and Sab had one more treat in store for us. At My Mother’s Cupboard, they made a quick demo and shared some tips on how we could make quick dessert boards at home. They shared recipes for Rosé Jellies and Churro Poppers with some Homemade Chocolate Sauce, and showed us how easy it is to make Skewered Strawberries and Brownie Bites, for a quick Valentine’s treat at home.

What a sweet end to the food crawl!

Thank you, Mish and Sab, for another wonderful time! And thank you, Evia Lifestyle Center for allowing us to experience some of the best dishes in the South. I can’t wait to go back with my family, so they can try them, too!

Mothers Who Brunch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MothersWhoBrunch
Instagram: @motherswhobrunch

Evia Lifestyle Center

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evialifestylecenter
Instagram: @evialifestylecenter

Visit

Tiger Leaf  |  Mama Lou’s  |  Merlion’s Cuisine  |  Mesa  |  Another Story
Teppanya  |  The Cheesecake Fairy  |  My Mother’s Cupboard

The Häcker Kitchen was turned into an ultimate dream cooking space. Shelves were stocked, everything organized neatly into their own space.

The sisters of Boqueria Lifestyle Market styled the entire place into a colorful haven, it was hard not to envy all the pretty little nooks. I mean, who wouldn’t be awed by all these gorgeous pieces, right? Major lust!

Organizing the Pantry

Sab and Mish started off the event by sharing tips on achieving a neatly organized pantry.

Grouping food by category allows you to know exactly where everything is. This saves you from rummaging through your pantry in search for that can of tuna, or that tiny bottle of food coloring (Hello, me!). Placing snacks and cereals at eye-level for the little ones allows them to grab what they want, without having to ask for help. By organizing and having an allocated place for each item, less time is wasted.

Bins, baskets, racks, trays and food keepers, all help in keeping things neatly organized in the pantry. Dry items like rice, flour, pasta, sugar and cereals, can be stored in clear containers where its contents can be easily seen. This helps reduce wastage and over buying. Say bye-bye to 3 unopened boxes of corn starch! My mommy brain can tell you that this has happened to me way too many times!

Adding labels like these #HappyStickerLabels by HappyInc.PH not only does the job of identifying contents, they help prettify the pantry, too!

When it comes to choosing food keepers, Lock & Lock is definitely one of my favorite food storage solutions. The latest Lock & Lock Easy Match containers is a must in every kitchen! The Easy Match collection comes with a nestable design, so you can easily stack the bodies when they are not in use. Such a space saver! No need to worry about the hassle of matching food keepers to their lids either, because they are now easier to find with the color-coordinated lids and bodies. Admit it, we’ve all been there!

And as with all Lock & Lock food keepers, Easy Match is also 100% airtight, keeping food fresher for longer. They are really perfect for the pantry, the refrigerator, and even for those packed lunches, too!

Mish and Sab also shared this list of Pantry Essentials, because really, a well-stocked pantry is motivation enough to cook a delicious meal!

The Brunch

While Mish and Sab were sharing tips on achieving an organized pantry, we were treated to a healthy and sumptuous spread by Yogi Brunch.

For starters, we had butternut squash soup with black Indian garbanzos, watermelon salad with grilled feta, and chicken wonton taquitos with apple cilantro salsa (so good!). We then had tuna fusilli, and vegan chorizo, served with adlai and chimichurri (triple yum!). For dessert, there were gluten free dark chocolate brownies. What a spread! Both my palate and tummy were happy!

Pantry Play Challenge

For a little friendly competition, we were challenged to a cook off. Separated into three teams, we were tasked to come up with a dish or two, using everyday ingredients from the pantry. Here’s Team 1.

I was lucky enough to be grouped with these two fun and creative kitchen divas: Joey of 80 Breakfasts and Kaye of the Bento Mommas!

Our awesome team, with Joey leading the cooking, came up with a sun-dried tomato and mushroom sauce, and prepared three dishes with it. We used the meatless sauce to whip up a quick pasta dish, as filling for some crunchy tacos, and as base for an egg skillet.

We used the sauce for pasta, then topped it with some feta and chopped parsley. Quick and easy, perfect to serve when you are pressed for time!

For our second dish, we used the sauce to make veggie tacos, adding a cherry tomato and mandarin orange salsa, then topped with feta cheese. Yum!

We then used the leftover sauce as base for our breakfast egg skillet.

One delicious sauce, used in three different ways. All good, and no wastage! Our entry even won us the challenge, yay! Go, Team 1!

Plus, the handy Lock & Lock Easy Match containers were perfect for storing our leftover pasta and salsa, too! Double win!

Thank you Mothers Who Brunch and Lock & Lock Philippines for the fun time! I picked up lots of quick cooking tips from the other mommies and went home with the urge to clean up and reorganize my own pantry, too!

Mothers Who Brunch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MothersWhoBrunch
Instagram: @motherswhobrunch

Lock & Lock Philippines

Lock & Lock Easy Match is available in Lock & Lock flagship stores, online, and selected major department stores nationwide. Visit Lock & Lock’s website (www.locknlock.com.ph) and Facebook page (Lock and Lock – Philippines) for more details.

Thank You

McCormick Philippines  |  Häcker Kitchen  |  Ariston Philippines  |  Philips  |  HappyInc.Ph

Yogi Brunch PH  |  EarthOrigins Westgate Alabang  |  Boqueria Lifestyle Market

In the Philippine culture, Christmas is the time for bonding with family, rekindling friendships, sharing meals, and gift-giving. Crate and Barrel Philippines has embraced this spirit, and this year they launched their #ChristmasWithCratePH early for us to enjoy.

Together with Mothers Who Brunch, Crate & Barrel Philippines invited friends for an afternoon of merry food, drinks and conversation, as they shared what was in store for all the holiday shoppers.

In the true spirit of gifts that inspire giving, Crate & Barrel will be celebrating the 12 weeks of Christmas by giving away free gifts! Shop a minimum of P8,000 and you receive special items from their gift cart. Lots of pretty home and kitchen goodies are up for grabs! I have my eye on those wine glass markers, glass bottles and pretty napkins!

For easy Christmas shopping, Crate & Barrel has prepared an assortment of gift boxes for everyone to choose from. Wether you’re looking for a well-curated hamper to give as a gift, or you’re hosting a dinner get-together and are in search for a party-ready update on your table and drink ware, they have it for you! In partnership with Boozy PH, each box also comes with a bottle of goodness for those Happy Hours! Perfect gifts, especially for those who love to entertain with their drinks!

Drop by their stores on the weekends and get treated to cups of hot choco and Christmas cookies, while you shop too!

The Mothers Who Brunch duo, Mish and Sab, also shared some easy-to-prepare party recipes to everyone.

They demonstrated how to use Phyllo pastry to make quick and yummy appetizer cups, perfect to add to those holiday spreads!

These were filled with bacon, mushroom and onion relish.

Chorizo, tomato and buffalo mozzarella in these cups.

The one on the left: no-bake cheesecake with fig, tomato, truffle compote and walnuts.

All three variants were delicious, but the cheesecake-lover in me couldn’t stop me from reaching out for more of the no-bake cheesecake cups. The hint of truffle added a lovely surprise in the creamy filling, my palate was doing a happy dance! Will have to try to recreate this at home, soon.

Mish and Sab also shared how to prepare this bowl of Chicken and grape salad. This dish hardly takes any time to whip up, and is a great way to use leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken. The freshness of the grapes and the crunch of the walnuts, makes this a light and yummy dish to add to those festive get-togethers.

While enjoying our yummy festive faire, Boozy PH served drinks to get us a little buzzed. I enjoyed my mimosa while catching up with mommies friends, and meeting new ones, too!

Thank you Sab and Mish for having me, and for never getting tired of sharing your love for food with other moms like me.

Its never too early to start shopping for Christmas, so head on over to Crate and Barrel and get inspired by gifts that spread the Christmas cheer.

Mothers Who Brunch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MothersWhoBrunch
Instagram: @motherswhobrunch

Crate and Barrel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrateandBarrelPhilippines
Instagram: @crateandbarrelph

Boozy PH

Website: http://www.boozy.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoozyLiquorDelivery
Instagram: @boozyph

When Michelle and Sabrina, the beautiful ladies behind Mothers Who Brunch, invited me to a small gathering of moms in Alabang, I knew I just had to go. Their invitation was quite timely, as I had been looking for an excuse to unwind and meet other mothers in the metro.

True to Mothers Who Brunch’s signature tagline of Gather Inspire Feast, it was indeed an event full of inspiration, as stories were shared among the mothers. There were lost of food, beautiful flowers, and some much-needed pampering towards the end, too.

The brunch was held at 81 Cafe and Bistro. Located on the 3rd floor of Madison Galeries in Alabang Hills, the restaurant sets a homey vibe, with its beautifully styled interior and carefully picked decor. Their menu boasts an array of different cuisine: Filipino, Spanish and Italian, each dish hand-picked by owner Eric Nubla himself. The variety is definitely a bonus for family diners who have picky-eaters, and those with diverse palates.

We started off with Sab teaching us how to make Frozen Rosé, or Frosé for short. With a blend of Rosé, strawberries, lemon-infused simple syrup, and ice, it’s the perfect little drink; light and refreshing enough for you to have a glass or two (or maybe three for me!) at any time of the day.

We sipped our Frosés while we shared how we try to decompress and recharge. The most common responses were dining out, going to the movies, or spending alone time with our other half. Mine, of course, was not a surprise– DIYs, crafting and making art.

On our table were the prettiest blooms, arranged by Flowers by Yumi. Each pink Ecuadorian rose was neatly placed in a bucket to make one dainty floral centerpiece. We admired its fresh charm, while sharing stories and nibbling on the yummy cheese platter.

What a perfect treat, right? Well, we were just getting started!

For our appetizer, we had gambas, chiztora chorizo, pork sisig, and mozzarella sticks. Each dish was delectable, but the winner was definitely the pork sisig. It was crispy and extra tasty; definitely something worth going back for!

As if our appetizers weren’t already filling enough, 81 Cafe and Bistro treated us to a feast for our mains.

Adobong puti, smothered in lots of fried garlic.

Callos: beef and ox tail with luscious flavors of chorizo and sausages.

Spinach ravioli. For a meatless dish, this ravioli was rich, creamy and full of flavor. Yum! And may I add that 81 Cafe and Bistro’s pastas are all homemade? Plus points!

Vegetable lasagna. For vegetarians and the health buffs out there, this is the meal for you! This no-meat, all-veggie lasagna was surprisingly good.

Baby back ribs served with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. Fall-off-the-bone tender, the ribs were extra juicy and bursting with flavor. It was good! Easily my favorite dish among the mains!

To complete our sumptuous brunch, we had some coffee and sticky rice with mango and coconut cream.

We were stuffed to the brim, but the spoiling didn’t end there. We proceeded to Coco Nail Studio for some more pampering.

With its dainty interior and lush sofas, Coco Nail Studio definitely gets five stars for giving a cozy and relaxing ambience. You enter the place and you instantly feel at home!

And what’s even more awesome? They think about your little ones, too! Aside from nail services catered to kids, they have a corner with books and toys to entertain the children. My daughter would instantly love this place, I’ll definitely be back with her in tow!

For our manis and pedis, we got to try the Orly Breathable treatment + color lacquers, thanks to Orly Philippines. What I love about this line is its all-in-one and longer-lasting formula. No base coat or topcoat needed! They dry within minutes, so they’re perfect for on-the-go moms like me.

Orly Breathable lacquers are also filled of Argan Oil, Pro Vitamin B5 and Vitamin C, ingredients that help nourish, hydrate and repair nails, prolonging the life of a manicure at the same time. Yay, right? To add to that, they are organic, and are free from 13 harmful chemicals found in most nail polishes. That means they are safe for pregnant women, as well as children, too!

The Orly Breathable line is available in 18 pretty colors. I picked the shade “Fresh Start” for its pale mint green hue (my all-time favorite nail color!), and it painted on a lovely opaque mint after two coats. I’ve been wearing it for the past few days, and I have to say that it hasn’t budged; no chips, no peeling! Woot!

The nail spa treat was the perfect end to our day of spoiling. Our happy tummies, the conversations, the pampering and the indulging, it was exactly what we moms needed. I definitely went home to my family feeling happier, relaxed and recharged.

Thank you, Mish and Sab for having me!