have you had a STARBUCKS today???

okay, since we do not have a JUST DESSERTS here in Taipei, I have to get my HOLIDAY goodies fixes at STARBUCKS... and already to brighten up the cold days and ring in the HOLIDAYS - Starbucks is offering Toffe Nut Latter & Dark Cherry Mocha drinks.... both are YUMMY....

Since they are available in Manila also, am pretty sure they are available all over the world... so you too, can get your Holiday Drink Fixes...

And to get you in even more festive spirits - you can take home one of their "oh-so-cute" Holiday Offerings for 2009 (Photo Below)...

my kind of COMFORT FOOD...

-this last trip in Manila, I made sure I came back to Taipei, FULLY STOCKED on my kind of COMFORT FOODS:
FLAT TOPS

CHIPPY*PIATTOS*NOVA* BOY BAWANG

get ready to SKREMES....

KRISPY SKREMES are here - just in time for HALLOWEEN '09!!!Yep, everyone's tasty, sweet treat donut shop, Krispy Kreme, is wowing everyone once again with their Halloween Offerings: Aliens, Skulls, Spiderwebs, Pumpkin Heads, and lots more.... These are definitive treats for those trickster with really discriminating and ultra sweet taste buds...

what I wouldn't give for....

the following HEAT BUSTERS!!!
Counter Clockwise from the Top: Halo-Halo, Mango Bing, 4 Treasure Ice, & Scoopery Ice Cream

2009 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition

The Annual Taiwan Culinary Exhibition celebrates it's 20th Anniversary with another lavish display of, mouth watering and feast to the eyes, culinary creations. Held once again at the Taipei World Trade Center (Hall 1) - it runs from the 20th thru the 23rd of this month, AUGUST.

In addition to promoting Taiwanese delicacies and cooking, the major function of this delicious event is to advance the development of local, tourism and cultural industries. Hoping that more foreign tourists will also be able to have a better understanding of Taiwan gourmet paradise.
We were BRAVE ENOUGH to join the masses of foodies all eager to SEE and hopefully, TASTE some of the Newest and Best Creations from both Local and International Chefs participating in the event. Some of the Highlights for marketchow and myself are:
-Debut of the TRI-MOUNTAIN NATIONAL CUISINE
-The World Culinary Contest
-Giant Grouper Gourmet
-Fine Dining Exhibit - Gold Medal Dishes
-The Suzhou Water Country Riverboat Banquet
-LOHAS Back-to-Basics Banquet
-Five Star Chefs’ Live Show - Cooking Classes

MORE DELICIOUS PHOTOS HERE

Rose House Revisited

Wow, I cannot believe that i has been, basically, a year since we first visited Rose House @ the Miramar Mall in Taipei.

With a little time to spare the afternoon of the 27th, we decided to take the opportunity and revisit the place. You can say, David and I were both in the mood for WAFFLES - which is one of the place's specialty... besides the various exotic teas they serve, of course.This time around, we opted to share an order of the regular waffle with Honey Syrup and something a bit different, Waffles with Chicken Salad Topping. It was different alright... so different that I reserve my rights to not have an opinion about it. HAHAHAHAHAHA......

The Herbal & Fruit tea we ordered were delicious as always... and the service, Impeccable. The staff were just as pleasant, friendly and accommodating as the first visit... and the place just as relaxing, albeit country style girly. LOLs....

It was DEFINITELY worth the second visit. Photos Here.
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LINKS to the First Visit @ Rose Tea July 1st, 2008:
-Photos
-Story

Saucy Sauces * Sauces X 4

Sunday, March 15th - I had the pleasure of sitting in on one of David's cooking classes... when I say cooking classes, I mean one that he was teaching... and when I say sit in, I mean recruited to take photos...

It was a bit nerve wracking for me going into it... not for me and my photo techniques, or lack of it -- more because I did not know how nervous David would be conducting the class... It was not his first mind you, actually his second one... after months of coaxing from his Boss, at the company he works for, he finally gave in and agreed to hold cooking classes... For this particular one, it was all about sauces, 4 of them actually: Ragu Alla Bolognese, Salsa Picante, Aceto Balsamico & Pannecata.The class was for a couple of hours only but the amount of preparations needed took so much longer... unfortunately i could not help much as I really know nothing in the kitchen, and did not want to mess anything up.. or plainly just get in the way...So I sat around, observed and just did a bit of "this & that"... basically whatever am told.... After a couple of hours of slicing, dicing, chopping, peeling -- all ingredients were then place on their individual presentation tray... each grouped into which sauce they will be used for. Then it was more time to make sure that everything is clean and all set to go for the class...

At about 1:45PM, people started coming in -- all hyped up and ready to learn. About 8people turned up for the class -- which is a pretty good number already considering it was only advertised for a couple of weeks. The class actually went pretty well... am quite AMAZED and IMPRESSED at how at ease David was though the whole thing.... everything just flowed out naturally and smoothly... the cooking was impressive as well with no big mess or mishap... like he really has been doing it for years... and the people seemed to be actually both interested and entertained... so much so that one guy even commneted, while everyone loved the class, he loved Teacher David Best... LOLS!!! Everyone were also quite HAPPY with the finished sauces, as we all -- even me, got to try each and every one of them... and as an added bonus, all sorts of Bread were brought in from the bakery of David's company, Saveurs De France.So overall, it was 5hours well spent being amazed with David's calling and learning a bit a long the way... Next Up: PIZZA MAKING CLASS, dough included....
FOR COMPLETE SAUCE CLASS PHOTOS CLICK HERE
& to learn more about David's Culinary World,Pls Click Here: Marketchow

un AMIGO para todos!!!

Since moving to Taiwan, we have tried a few Mexican restaurants -- all of them ended up being disappointments... which baffles the heck out of me as most dishes uses the same ingredients for the most part... and are prepared pretty much the same... LOLS! The places we have been served either canned crap or what must have come out of those TV dinners just microwaved, then put on a plate... most has a very soggy texture from too much heating up... leaves so much to be desired... worse, totally leaves a BAD TASTE that I avoid Mexican food in Taiwan for the most part... that is until the other nite when Jason's (David's youngest nephew) food of choice was Mexican... driven by the cooking show we attended earlier in the afternoon at Eslite Cafe....

David happen to have seen this restaurant in back of the Chung Hsiao East Rd, AMIGO... hoping for the BEST but ready for the WORST - we were genuinely surprised and elated at what we had.... nevermind that the servings were not big enough... not like the ones you would normally get in the Mission District of San Francisco.. Ingredients were fresh, crispy, and prepared just right... and they were nicely served in dishes reminiscent of the ones I actually used in Mexico...The DECOR gets an A plus from me as well... panchos & colorfully painted ceramics adorns the walls; colorful wooden chairs; a pair of Mexican's traditional costumes; and sombreros (hats) as lamps over tables.... and as an added bonus - ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ was playing when we first came in... I was truly WON OVER at the get go...
For the rest of the photos - PLS CLICK HERE.

a new "Discovery"... well....

Dining out comes too far and few in between, so when we do, we do like to try new places we hear about or have seen in passing at one time or another... One such place is Discovery: Vietnamese restaurant inside the Mitsukoshi A4 Building, in the Waner Village area... The place was is nicely done... decor not too much, subtle but still evokes the Vietnamese feel to it... the presentation was quite good too as each dish came served in ornate plates... the service is just as nice as well -- attentive and kind staff...

buit then there's the food... they left a lot to be desired... forget the fact that each dish was too little - they were not anything special at all... nothing that will keep us coming back... even the street food in the streets of Hanoi were much more tastier....
You can see more PHOTOS HERE.

Little Asia - Greenhills, Philippines

Friday, Feb 12th: Little Asia Restaurant to Celebrate my nephew and niece's Feb. Birthdays... Asian Fusion type resto - loved it....
Location: Greenhills...

Loved everything about the place.... yummy food... cool interiors... beautiful mural... service is par excellence... my only complain is the table setting... paper place setting does not suit this place at all.... they could have done better... but that is a minor misstep, as they excel in everything else....

Took my nephew and niece for their BDays.... Just the 3 of Us!!!

Something Sweet & Retro...

...from Krispy Kreme...
I guess, a visit to Manila is not complete without stopping by Krispy Kreme for a donut or two... or a box full!!! Since it is not here in Taiwan, I do enjoy the stopover there during my trips... it helps that they have one of their biggest branches in the Greenhills Shopping Center are - one of my FAVE haunts when in Manila... and it is also nice that they seem to be coming up with new things to entice and treat their donut-a-holic followers, such as me...

With Valentine's Day looming, they are pushing their "Share The Love" campaign... Chocolate covers, heart shaped donuts... with a variety of filling and topping... each and everyone of them - delicious!!! This time around they are also offering a cute little tin with a really cute retro print... fell in love with it's sweetness right of the bat...Yummy Chocolate Covered Heart-Shaped Treats!!!

Barrio Fiesta - Only Half a Fiesta!

For Juliana's second nite (Nov. 23rd) in Manila, I wanted her to experience what I have come to love at Barrio Fiesta... not just the GREAT PINOY food, but the whole presentation.... the Filipiniana Decor, the local costumes, and the fun of seeing the waiters and waitresses get into the act and sing songs while serving or in between servings... a REAL TREAT! ALAS, this was not so on this particular nite...


We opted to go to the Barrio Fiesta in Makati Ave... mainly so I can take Juliana around the newly opened A.Venue as well... which is next block to Barrio Fiesta... We met up with my family around 6:30 and were seated for dinner by 7PM.... Right away I noticed there was no entertainment whatsoever -- so I asked??? Was told that, there's some diners that requested they do not sing till after they are done eating and have left...LOLs?? why bother to go to this place then? Half of the FUN is the whole entertainment Experience....

Well, I spoke too soon... as when the entertainment finally came - it left me sooooo disappointed... two musicians who played for about 15 mins before they were joined by one waiter singing... He was good, I will give him that but where are the others? Why is the entertainment soooo SKIMPY??? I was sooopo frustrated and felt BAD as I ahd already mentioned to Juliana how nice & entertaining this place was... Maybe I should have taken her to the one in PASAY or even the one in MEGAMALL, which we have frequented before and always left us satisfied - both our tummies and our eyes & ears.....

In fairness though, the food was still good -- tasty and very authentic... we ordered Kare Kare, Crispy Pata, Adobo, Pinakbet, Bicol Express... a wide variety and considered staple Pinoy dishes... So at least, on that part -- my hunger for the Barrio Fiesta Experience was SATISFIED!!

Century Egg, A Delicacy. Really???

For the life of me, I cannot seem to get used to the taste of this Chinese delicacy known as Century Egg. Just as I cannot get used to eating the Philippine's Balut, I pretty much feel the same for this egg... the mere mention of this egg as part of my meal to be makes my stomach do somersaults... I mean I can take the gelatinous part of the egg, but when you get to the center of it, the yolk... ICKY!!! The color alone, charcoal black, is already a turn off when it comes to something you want to put in your tummy... then for some reason, to me, it really tastes like it has been a century in the making - and not not be eaten... But they love it here - so hell, to each his own....

But yes, I do still eat them especially when am a guest at other people's home... it is just the POLITE thing to do... as long as I eat, as little as possible, and the bathroom is close by in case I need to make a run for it...

So when having me over for a meal - PLS HAVE MERCY - no Century Eggs -- bring on the SALTED DUCK EGGS instead!!!

mon cheri roselle

Another concoction of DAVID with a WOW factor!
One nite, David came home from work sooo excited and could not wait to gather all his ingredients for what he promises something different, tasty and good for you... something he just knew I would LOVE! and boy was he right on!!!

The cake is your basic one with flour, baking powder, sugar, egg mixed in with delicious French White Chocolate by Michel Cluizel and for the twist of something unexpected, roselle, in tea form.

Roselle are wild-grown flowers usually found along the side of pure and unpolluted hills and gorges. More often used to make tea and much more common in European countries, as well as, in South East Asia. In the East it is commonly referred to as "Oriental Beauty Fruit" due to its reputation for promoting good skin. Roselle is also known for its ability to dispel the effects of alcohol and amends circulatory insufficiencies.

So on all counts -- "different, tasty and good for you" -- David delivered.

Beard Papa

Beard Papa's (麦の穂, Muginoho?) slogan is "Fresh'n natural cream puffs" -- and boy do they LIVE UP to this!!!! This Japanese company that is about a decade short, founded in 1999, has over 250 stores in Japan and 300 worldwide.

When I was first introduced to them last year, I instantly fell in love with their trademark product: Cream Puffs with Custard filling. This choux pastry shell is usually filled with whipped cream custard, available in vanilla, chocolate, and specialty flavors such as green tea, strawberry, pumpkin, Earl Grey Tea, Èclair, and coffee -- just right up my alley.(The one located at the Newest SOGO Department Store in Taipei!)(Freshly Baked Everyday in Every Location!)(Delicious Custurd Filled Cream Puffs)

Their cafes island wide are usually small and located in shopping malls -- but this serves them just fine as most people stop by to get boxes and boxes full to take home and share with the family, myself included.Beard Papa Taiwan
Beard Papa Worldwide

It's Big Alright... But It Ain't Stupid!

Rainy Saturday Nite... hunger strikes -- craving for some cold comfort food to warm the soul, or at least the tummy.... and we found just the answer for our cravings... "Stupid Big Bowl"...

Yes, you read that right! "Stupid Big Bowl" indeed -- that is the name of this little restaurant in the Roahe Night Market.. I too, had to asked David a couple of times if the name really is that... Though the bowls and portions are definitely big (and much to my delight -- colorful, too!), there really is nothing stupid about the dishes... they were quite tasty and filling...
The 6 available choices!
The MENU boasts of 6 different flavours of soup only to choose from... depending on your choice -- selections of meat, veggies & other wonderful, though not easily identifiable, goods are thrown in together - much like Shabu Shabu but already cooked and prepared to everyone's delight and satisfaction...

Pichi Pichi

Pichi-pichi is a Filipino dessert made of coconut and cassava or kamoteng kahoy (Yam), another delicious cake or “puto” enjoyed by many Filipino, especially in parties. This Filipino delicacy was introduced in Quezon province, Philippines.

Thanks to our visit to Sandy's house this past month - we were introduced to the delicious version of made by Arny Dading's (see above photo), already a FAVE dessert of mine - it just became even more so with this version... it is lighter... cheesier... and just the right amount of sweetness.... am pretty sure I ate half of what was there... LOLs!!!

Totally recommended and I cannot wait to get back for more....

Taiwan Burrito... or is it Lumpia... or Crepe???

...who cares... it IS Delicious!!!!

Yesterday, Saturday the 18th I was able to TASTE what I think is, something fresh and different... and combines two of Yilan's BEST offerings: Taro Ice Cream & Candied Peanut...

Not sure what the name is - as most just refer to it as, Wassen hen bing chiling (peanut and ice cream), very original.... and simple... but there is nothing simple in the making of this delicious treat.... as a matter of fact, each and everyone made took a lot of laborious preparations... even though the two main ingredients, -- taro ice cream and the candied peanut -- are already pre-made....
Shaving the candied peanut alone took so much labor, and if one has to make so many of these a day to make a living - you will have one really tired vendor at the end of the day.... an ample amount of shaved peanut are put on the lumpia wrapper, then two scoops of Taro ice cream... and add a sprinkling of cilantro for additional flavor and aroma, too... the results is one heavenly treat... total delight to the taste pallet...
Am told that this was first invented here in YILAN - a few years back... so it became one of their most famous delicacy.... and it is apparent as all the little towns surrounding Yilan that we went to had their own offerings of this refreshing treat....