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The Starbucks VIA campaign

I'm not a millenial. I was not born into a generation of information technology and the internet. I, however, was exposed to lots of manual art work and graphic designing mostly on paper. You can just imagine my appreciation of a Starbucks ad campaign which I eventually found out was executed by graphic artist and designer Yulia Brodskaya. The ad campaign is for Starbucks' new experimental instant coffee called VIA.

The rest of her design outputs just blew me away. The intricacy of her designs brought me to an introspective and retrospective stance. She loves to experiment and explore ways of bringing together all the things she likes most: typography, paper, and highly detailed hand-made craft objects.

Y U L I A 's   O T H E R   W O R K S

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Yulia's take on monochromatic design
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Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet and Garllic Fried Rice
I've eaten several times at Superbowl of China and I am witness to how their prices and food selection have evolved over the years. They are currently offering solo meals that will set you back for only Php90 just to cope with the economic downturn, but I am yet to try any of those. I still want to stick to ordering their regular menu-based servings, especially since they are good for two to three people, the company I normally find myself in.

If you want to do the same thing but are on a smaller budget, I suggest you order one of their newest treats -- the crispy mandarin chicken. It is made of boneless chicken fillets fried to a golden brown, drenched in a mildly spiced Chinese sauce, and served with Taiwan petchay on the side. It will set you back for less than Php200 and it's good for two to three people. This is more affordable than their other viands which go for more than Php200 each.

Maybe since the crispy mandarin chicken was so in-demand for being reasonably priced that when I attempted to order it last weekend, it was not available. I didn't want to investigate further as it just may just irk the waitress, so I resorted to the next reasonable choice... the sweet and sour fish fillet. It may be Php10 more than its pork alternative (Php 250), but it's healthier. Besides, when eating Chinese food, I always make sure to have anything sweet and sour in the experience.

For fried rice, I ordered garlic instead of the more popular yang chow because the former is less expensive (about Php170 I think). Add to that, Superbowl's garlic fried rice is almost similar in taste to their yang chow fried rice. Unsuspecting friends won't even notice it as not being yang chow.
 
 
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Every community in the Philippine provinces has a unique feel. Walking in the residential area of Sagada is like walking in the past. The common facade of the houses is quaint yet evoking timelessness. My college friend snapped these images during a not-so-recent trip up north in case you're wondering where Sagada is.

For more of Sagada images, click here.

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Once upon a time (meaning not this year) I was not in Manila which rarely happens. I was in a residential area in Tagaytay where the roads seem to slope more than once per kilometer... at least where the secluded garden that I visited is located. It's part of the area where Nurture Spa holds its massage service, among other services.

The garden is  spectacular. I have only become a fan of garden landscaping after I saw the place which reminds me of my late grandmother's home-tended garden. The only difference is my grandma's garden didn't have landscaping.

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For someone who's so used to the hustle and bustle of city life, the garden is literally refreshing. The greens are lush and the flowers' various colors seem to dance whenever the wind would blow. It definitely reminded me of childhood summers in Baguio where I stayed at my cousins' American-style home that opens to a multilevel flower terrace.

M O R E    R E J U V I N A T I N G    I M A G E S

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I started sketching again a few days ago after not doing so for more than five years. I've blogged about this in my other site. Having tried it again made me attempt at my second session. I've been going about it whenever I am either bored or rendered without the diversion of technology like when I did this piece inside Secret Recipe while tearing into a Cappuccino Cheesecake. Thanks to an intermittent WiFi connection, I got forced into sketching two customers inside the restaurant who got in a few minutes after I did. I was able to finish this for about 5 minutes or so. Customers started to come in throngs for lunch, so I decided to pay the bill right away and put my pencil down.
 
 
FOOD ORDERED: Yum (succulent burger patty)! / SERVICE: Cold-blooded crew & WiFi
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This is what happens when a worldwide sensation passes away. I eat cake. I planned to visit the nearest CD shop (no, I refuse to download online) to purchase the recently deceased Michael Jackson's best-of CD. I also intended to eat the best slice of cake that I've tasted in the metro -- Secret Recipe's.

In less than an hour from our house, I was at Ortigas Center. I soon ordered Grilled Mushroom Chicken for my brunch (yes, desserts still go after the main meal). I ordered frosty lemon tea for refreshments. It's good that the restaurant finally has WiFi connection after knowing last month only that they didn't have one.

I already know that the food selection at Secret Recipe is a bit pricey considering that I am not well-off. My mindset is to eat at any restaurant once for experience and yet I keep on coming back at least thrice. This is actually my fourth visit.

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Don't let the dullness fool you.
For dessert, I was torn between the Oreo Cheesecake and the Cappuccino Cheesecake. I already tasted their Mango Delight in the past and I wanted to sample something cheesy this time. When I asked the waiter what the white part of the Oreo Cheesecake is, he turned to the cash register lady to relay my inquiry.

The lady answered with a flat face, "It's the cheese part."

I immediately connected her dreadful face to the taste of the Oreo Cheesecake, so I ordered the Cappuccino Cheesecake, instead. I psyched myself to not let my chosen slice fool me. It's creamier and more succulent than it looks on the picture.

The WiFi connection's not worth ranting about maybe because I just happened to dine on a bad day. What I suggest is for the crew to really cheer up. I understand that Michael Jackson just died, but must I be dreadful for wanting to shut my television off and eat my cake to forget all about it? It won't hurt to smile.
 
 
FOOD ORDERED: Good to gobble up. / SERVICE: Good WiFi, nice ambient music
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A transaction at a bank fueled my appetite for lunch. Oh, wait. It didn't have to because by the time I was done there it was lunch time already and I had to go online as well. A quick detour to Ohana in the second level of Megamall was just logical. And, why not? They serve lunch and offer free WiFi. I know it's rude to eat a full meal and work on one's laptop at the same time, but this was a case of emergency.

I ordered the Hawaiian Pork BBQ even if the lady at the cash register recommended the Chicken BBQ meal because it's been long since I got myself some pork. I thought I had the swine flu a week ago but it's a different topic altogether.

I already ate at Ohana last year and I still consider their meal rate a bit steep. However, now that I am a mobile blogger, the price of their meal and WiFi access as a combo is a good deal. I won't recommend it to the ordinary diner, but Ohana works best for people like me. The food alone can speak well for the venue, so you should try it for yourself.

My only gripe: why just a morsel of pineapple slice on my Pork BBQ? Why?!
 
 
FOOD ORDERED: Interesting to indulge in. / SERVICE: Attentive crew, nice interiors
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One afternoon I got off my FX ride along the Mega Strip almost in front of the newly-opened Persia Grill. The restaurant isn't that noticeable as it's under the mall bridgeway which is away from the maller traffic. I reckoned it was the best place to eat in a relaxed manner since no one in his right mind would prefer to go out of the mall to expose himself to the stress of the afternoon heat to look for a place to eat. I was right. The place was literally without customers. I might have even scared the waiters who were crowding the cash register area. They might have been so bored for not having customers. Upon entering, they scrambled to their posts and I was offered the menu.

Since I was not familiar with Arabian cuisine, I moved my finger towards a picture which seems harmless -- the culinary delight Kabsa which is actually a classic Arabian chicken and rice dish. The fragrant and lightly spiced dish, I later found out online, has managed to be part of the Philippine restaurant landscape for many decades now.

I am not used to eating long-grain rice but it did play up the meal and I managed to appreciate the set for its unique flavor. It was like eating grilled styrophoam or that which is inside beaded pillows. At least, that's the experience at the onset for anyone who has been accustomed to the typical Filipino rice. Once I was halfway eating the flavorful chicken, the meal became more interesting in taste.

The meal costs no more than Php150 which is about the most expensive McDonald's or Jollibee meal. I set the bar at Php150 because Filipinos tend to upgrade their french fries and even add mayonnaise and even order a fattening chocolate sundae on the side.

For refreshment, I ordered Persia Grill's house blend which is a mix of mango, calamansi and tea. It tasted weird at first, like someone mixed honey and beer, but the concoction proved to be refreshing after a few more sips. Some Filipinos like to order smoothies and fruit shakes that cost about Php50 and above. Persia Grill's house blend costs an additional P20. Not that bad for something unique.
 
 
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I am not really into baby back ribs especially the man-size ones. I've eaten out in plush restaurants in the past but most of them were exchange deals for press releases in a magazine that I used to work for. Those were expensive ones I can remember.
 
Just imagine my delight when, upon strolling in Megamall's newly-opened The Atrium, I discovered the budget-friendly Bigby's. I got more amazed when I found out that they have older branches in the Provinces, in Cagayan De Oro, Bacolod, Iloilo and Davao to be specific.

I ordered the succulent, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs. The meal comes with a huge serving of rice and garnish. For those on a diet, the viand can be shared by two, just order another cup or rice for your partner. And if you are up for a heavy meal, you can also try their quesadilla, a Mexican snack food made of cheese which in Spanish means little cheesy thing.

I noticed that another attraction of the resto is the travel concept of its interiors where a set of various key chains adorn one side of the wall. The rest have other travel-oriented knick-knacks that perk up the place.