January 29, 2013

La Petite Camille, Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine


People have constant craving to explore new flavours and dishes from different parts of the world. I always enjoy the opportunity to experience culture, diversity and ethnic differences through their foods and practices. It’s really fun and enlightening for locals to try a traditional by going to different restaurants and experiencing the diverse flavors, spices and dishes.
A visit to a classic Vietnamese restaurant named La Petite Camille in Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center, Makati is an awesome experience.
Vietnamese cuisine encompasses the indigenous food and beverages of Vietnam heavily influenced by French cuisine, due to its previous status as a French protectorate, as well as Chinese, Indian, and Thai culinary influences.

Regular ingredients include fish sauce, shrimp paste, soy sauce, curry, rice, fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables.  Vietnamese recipes commonly use lemongrass, mint, long coriander, & Thai basil leaves.
Vietnamese cuisine is ranked as one of the healthiest in the world. The Vietnamese have a strong vegetarian tradition influenced by the deep seated Buddhist values of its people. Most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are fish, chicken, pork, beef, and a variety of seafood. Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly lauded for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil, and reliance on fresh herbs and vegetables.

La Petite Camille in Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center, Makati was opened last December 17, 2012 by the same group that has brought in concepts such as Super Bowl of China and Yomenya Goemon Japanese Spaghetti House in partnership with Mama Fong, owner of La Petite Camille in Millbrae, California.

We have tried the specialties of La Petite Camille like Grilled Pork Imperial Rolls, Beef Look Luck, Summer Rolls Combination, Fresh Vegetarian Rolls, Green Papaya Salad Prawns, Pomelo Salad, Virmecelli, Beef Stew Noodle Soup, Camille BBQ Chicken, Saigon Style BBQ Pork Chop, Fan Fried RC Noodles Prawns, Prawn Fried Rice and Chicken Fried Rice.


Mama Fong’s own personal family recipes are used for the marination of the different dishes as well as the preparation of the variety of sauces.
As such, only La Petite Camille carries these Vietnamese flavour combinations and variations due to the personal touch that Mama Fong has infused each dish with.
I always crave for dessert! We have Pandan and Yellow Mung Beam, Vietnamese Jell-O and Deep Fry Ice Cream! 

Had a wonderful day at the Authentic Vietnamese Restaurant, La Petite Camille. Thanks to Mr. Roberto Vallar, Marketing Manager of East Orient Fine Dining Corporation for having lunch and chat with him.

Enjoy the wonderful world of La Petite Camille!

La Petite Camille   

2nd level Greenbelt 5 Ayala Center, Makati City
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday to Thursday
11:00 am to 11:00 pm Fridays & Saturdays
Call for inquiries at 728-4965
Visit :
Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/La-Petite-Camille-Philippines/270509436383993?ref=ts
Follow on twitter at @PetiteCamillePH.

Jensen Gomez’s Umpisa Album Launch on Feb. 1

For young singer-songwriter Jensen Gomez, the road towards his mainstream debut album Umpisa is a steady, uphill climb spanning five years. Umpisa, produced by Universal Records, includes 10 original songs plus a duet version of the title track featuring stage-TV-movie actress Tippy Dos Santos.
From being one of the most promising names in the independent music scene, Jensen was discovered by Universal Records and management group Orion Entertainment because of the album’s title track and single Umpisa. 

Umpisa was also picked to be the theme song of the movie MNL 143.

His songs and performances gained critical acclaims that he was invited to various music festivals, here and abroad. He has been featured in Fete dela Musique in Cebu, Original Music Society event in the National University of Singapore, and Pengasih event in Malaysia. Jensen also performed for IamTV in Malaysia.

Umpisa will be launched this February 1, 8 p.m., Saguijo, Makati City. The launch will also feature performances from She’s Only Sixteen, Mayonnaise, Carlos Castano, young singer-actress Tippy Dos Santos (who performed a duet of Umpisa with Jensen in the album) and former Rivermaya vocalist Jason Fernandez.

“Like any musician my age, I have experienced many difficulties. Luckily, amidst all the struggles, people have been supportive of me and my music. This made me pursue my passion. The release of this album summarizes everything I’ve been through in the past five years as a person, lover and musician.” -----  Jensen

UMPISA Tracklist:

Not Even Close
 Alone
Umpisa
Could Have Been
 Just Vowels
Runaway
 Subdued
Tulad Ng Dati
All I Want
Sisikat Ang Araw

Bonus Track
Umpisa (duet with Tippy Dos Santos)


Follow Jensen Gomez:

Twitter and Instagram: @IAmJensenGomez




Jessica Sanchez for Mega Magazine January 2013

Filipina-American songstress Jessica Sanchez is shining bright in her first cover of Mega Magazine. She is one of the country’s biggest news makers for 2012, a global Filipina loved and idolized by millions since her American Idol performances. Learn more about Jessica, her background and her plans for the future in this issue!







Photograph: Mark Nicdao
Creative Director: Suki Salvador
Art Director: Mica Santos
Styling: Patrick Galang
Make-Up: Denika Bedrossian for Crosby Carter Management using MAC Cosmetics
Hair: Judd Minter for Aim Artists using Bumble & Bumble

This month's issue of Mega Magazine will also feature top 10 designers for Philippine Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 and fashion’s biggest and most influential people, and more interesting stories. 


January 28, 2013

Let's Taste the Love @ The Bistro Group


Taste the Love is not just about food. It’s about the heart and the passion that goes into everything we do, from our concepts to our locations to our service to of course, our food. By focusing on creating a dining experience that diners will want to repeat and share, we allow our customers to taste the love from the moment they get hungry and think about our restaurants to the time they have polished off every bite.”  This is shared by Ms. Lisa Ronquillo, AVP Marketing of The Bistro Group.
The Bistro Group, the home of the country’s finest international and homegrown casual dining brands, is launching its latest campaign, Taste the Love. The campaign invites diners to taste the love behind every restaurant concept launched and every international chain brought to local shores, in every innovative dish prepared, and with every service rendered with a smile.

The campaign celebrates a series of milestones for The Bistro Group, namely the opening of 50 restaurants spread across 12 concepts, the appointment of Corporate Chef Josh Boutwood, and the launch of its Premiere Card.

The latest restaurant to join the group is Modern Shanghai, which brings authentic recipes from the region and serves them in a homey, comfortable environment. It joins Watami, a top food and beverage restaurant in Japan, the first Village Tavern branch outside the US, and Japanese-Western restaurant Ma Maison. The four are the latest international chains brought to the Philippines by The Bistro Group, rounding out its restaurants.

Aside from new dining locations, the arrival of Chef Boutwood has seen the launch of new dishes, such as Black Pizza, Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Wings, and Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Skins at Village Tavern, and the a la carte Katsu Menu at Ma Maison.

As a way of saying thank you to loyal customers, The Bistro Group is also launching the Premiere Card, which offers multiple discount offers up to 40% off the total bill; complimentary appetizers, coffee, and tea; as well as birthday treats for the cardholder.
In addition, for the month of hearts, The Bistro Group is offering an exclusive deal for Citibank cardholders. From February 4-7, cardholders will receive 50% off food and beverage orders worth at least P2,500, with a discount up to P5,000.
“We invite everyone to Taste the Love at the Bistro Group of Restaurants and to stay tuned as we roll out even more exciting deals, menu items, and restaurants in 2013. We are excited about what we have in store for our customers, and with great food, great service, great ambiance, what’s not to love?” Ronquillo states.



Chef Josh Boutwood is the Bistro Group’s new corporate chef, having been appointed in the position in late 2012 after serving as a consultant. The Filipino-British Chef studied at the Escuela de Culinario Mojacar in Spain, and apprenticed under French Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in England. He has worked in various restaurants in Spain, Denmark, and Sweden, most notably at Noma, touted as one of the best restaurants in the world by San Pellegrinos’ 50 Best. Upon his return to the Philippines, he set up his own restaurant in Boracay before joining The Bistro Group. He also won several awayds at the 3rd Philippine Culinary Cup. Chef Boutwood is behind such signature dishes at the Bistro Group of restaurants such as Black Pizza, Sesame Teriyaki Chicken Wings, and Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Skins at Village Tavern, and the a la carte Katsu Menu at Ma Maison.







Bistro Group

The Bistro Group is a collection of international hospitality casual dining brands and home-grown concepts unified by a people-focused philosophy that is the backbone of its success. Home-grown restaurant concepts, namely TGI Friday's, Italianni's, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Pig Out!, Krazy Garlik, The Stock Market, Bulgogi Brothers , Ma Maison, Village Tavern, Watami, and Modern Shanghai.

The company began its operations in 1994 with the opening of TGI Friday’s, the very first American casual dining chain in the Philippines. Within six years, the flagship restaurant of the Dallas-based Friday’s Hospitality Group expanded to five branches. As of 2012, TGI Friday’s has 14 branches throughout the Philippines.
In February 1996, Italianni’s Philippines became the chain’s first international branch outside the US. Its American-Italian cuisine, coupled with its unique shared-style dining concept as essayed by its slogan “Amor de Merrier,” made it an instant hit among Filipinos. Every item on Italianni’s menu is authentically prepared with the finest ingredients and is built on a wide selection of classic American-Italian flavors.
In 2006, The Bistro Group brought in Fish & Co. Seafood in a Pan, a Singapore-based chain with restaurants in Asia Pacific.
Following Fish & Co., homegrown concepts namely, Flapjacks, Pig Out, and Krazy Garlik were opened, giving customers a wide array of cuisines to choose from.
With interiors that are both sunny and fresh and with craveable menu selections available from sun up to sun down, Flapjacks offers customers a range of fluffy pancakes and ultimate omelets as well as American comfort food.
In 2009, Bistro opened Pig Out!, a country-style family grill restaurant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Pig Out! serves meat and seafood grilled specialties cooked just right using quality ingredients.
The following year, Krazy Garlik was launched, “a dining destination that glorifies the taste of garlic.” The restaurant brings together the best garlic recipes from around the world.
In 2011, making dining experience a lot more fresh, The Stock Market was opened in Bonifacio High Street, where everything is prepared “delightfully fresh.” The menu features a complete selection of fresh and flavorful selection of soups and salads, sandwiches and burgers, pastas, seafood and meat dishes, and dessert.
Also in 2011, The Bistro Group launched a franchise, Bulgogi Brothers A Korean BBQ Restaurant, in Greenbelt 5, offering traditional Korean cuisine. The menu offers classic Korean favorites using meat from Australia, such as kimchi, barbecued meats, Korean steaks, stews, noodles, and rice dishes. Since then, three more Bulgogi Brothers branches were opened.
Ma Maison, another international franchise, was opened in 2011 at Greenbelt 2. Offering Japanese Western food, Ma Maison means “my home” in French. It is also famous for its homemade “brown sauce,” which is stewed carefully for 28 days following a traditional recipe that adds a rich taste to meat dishes.
In 2012, Village Tavern opened, its 11th branch and the 1st outside of the US. It quickly made a name for itself with hearty portions of great-tasting comfort food made from premium ingredients and the best customer service. Known for its flatbreads, salads, crab cakes, and its Cowboy Burger, Village Tavern brings people together in a rustic but elegant tavern setting.
In November 2012, The Bistro Group opened Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant in SM Mall of Asia, followed by another branch in Glorietta. The Watami Group is the top food and beverage brand in Japan, with over 700 branches in Asia Pacific. With original dishes and signature beverages, Watami Group’s slogan is “to receive the most number of thank-yous in the world.”
Most recently, The Bistro Group brought in Modern Shanghai, which opens its first branch in January. Stemming from Shanghai’s most original home cooked recipes, Modern Shanghai offers the authenticity of local Shanghai cuisine in a casual and home-like manner, reviving simple but hearty meals that connect customers with traditions and memories.
To date, The Bistro Group of Restaurants has 14 TGI Friday's, 16 Italianni's, 4 Fish & Co., 2 Flapjacks, 1 Pig Out!, 2 Krazy Garlik, 1 The Stock Market, 4 Bulgogi Brothers , 1 Ma Maison, 1 Village Tavern, 2 Watami, and 2 Modern Shanghai in its portfolio of casual dining restaurants – over 50 branches and still going strong.


Singer/Songwriter Ogie Alcasid scores Gold for The Songwriter and The Hitmakers


Singer/Songwriter Ogie Alcasid's latest album "The Songwriter and The Hitmakers" does not only celebrate his 25th anniversary in showbiz, but also the achievements of OPM in recent years.

Ogie Alcasid's album  The Songwriter and The Hitmakers, released last October and recently was presented a Gold Record Award for outstanding sales of the album.
Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go presented the award to Ogie during the GMA Variety Show Party Pilipinas last January 13.

The album gathers all the biggest singing and recording artists in the country to breathe life to Ogie’s compositions, including both his biggest hits and new songs. Joining him are Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Piolo Pascual, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Arnel Pineda, Noel Cabangon, Richard Poon, Jed Madela, Kuh Ledesma, Rachelle Ann Go, Kyla, JayR and Jaya are part of the album.

Ogie's 25 years as a singer/songwriter, he has won various recognitions through his past albums. Among his top recognitions were the "Entertainer of the Year" trophy and a Hall of Fame title in the Aliw Awards.

Congratulations Ogie for all your achievements and awards! 


 "The Songwriter and the Hitmakers" has an 18-track & original compositions.

Here are the songs in the album now available for download at itunes  www.mymusicstore.com.ph and in all record stores nationwide.
1.       Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap – Ogie Alcasid
2.       Sino Ako – Regine Velasquez
3.       Kailangan Kita – Gary Valenciano
4.       Pangako – Martin Nievera
5.       Walang Iba – Kuh Ledesma
6.       Tanging Ikaw Lamang – Sarah Geronimo
7.       Ikaw Lamang – Christian Bautista
8.       Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka – Angeline Quinto
9.       Mula Ngayon – Rachelle Ann Go
10.    Tayong Dalawa – Ogie Alcasid & Regine Velasquez
11.    Ikaw Ang Pag-ibig Ko – Noel Cabangon
12.    To You – Richard Poon
13.    Tanging Ikaw – Jed Madela
14.    Kung Mawawala Ka – Piolo Pascual
15.    Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw – Arnel Pineda
16.    Mga Nakaw na Sandali – Jay R & Jaya
17.    Why  Don’t We Give In – Kyla
18.    Ang Puso Ko – Ogie Alcasid

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