Because there’s more to the Ayala Malls than just shopping, this time around, they’re putting the heat on food. The creme de la creme of Ayala Malls’ dining destinations will be served front and center with AM TOP – Ayala Malls Top Food Picks.

AM TOP will showcase the best food offerings of family restaurants, bars, fine dining and specialty food concepts in all the Ayala Malls.

The aim is to whip out a list of the Top Food Picks in each of the malls, covering the following categories: Appetizer, Salad, Soup, Seafood, Main Course (Red/White Meat), Dessert, and Coffee or Cocktail.

So, what are your bets for the best Ayala Malls dining destinations?

Your votes and the votes of the Food Council, composed of a panel of culinary experts, will decide which dishes to be featured in the A.M. Top

Ayala Malls Top Food Picks
A celebration of taste. By those with good taste.

Log on to www.ayalamalls-top.com and vote for your own Ayala Malls Top Food Picks for a chance to win a P5,000 dining spree!

Voting period is from July 31 – August 15, 2010

The White Hat is a Manila-based brand that was born from the idea that of wanting to introduce a totally new product into the Philippines. From the very beginning, White Hat wanted to do things the right way. So, they patiently searched all over the world until they found the BEST suppliers in Italy for their yogurt. As we all know, the best ice cream comes from Italy. And so does the best yogurt, or as they claim.

Next, they flew in an Italian Gelato expert to help them develop their recipe because they wanted their product to be authentic. They then held a series of taste tests where they invited friends, food critics, and celebrities who tasted several versions and gave their comments. From those, they finally came up with a perfectly smooth, creamy frozen yogurt with a slight tangy sourness, confirmed to have LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES, and authentically Italian. Did I mention that its 98% FAT-FREE?

Can’t decide which toppings to choose for your yogurt? The White Hat has some pre-made topping combinations dubbed as “hats”. From the uber-sweet Pinoy Hat, to the very playful Wizard’s Hat, be who you want to be and have a healthy snack at the same time!

But thats’ not enough, the frozen yogurt must be paired with a selection of premium healthy toppings for it to taste perfect. So, White Hat then made a selection of top quality premium toppings which is presented to the customers in a 21 topping bar for us to choose from. Toppings include FRESH fruit, healthy premium cereals, nuts & crunchies, fun toppings, and the occasional surprise toppings (think homemade!). And since they believe in giving customers value for money, their topping servings are GENEROUS.

The White Hat’s toppings selection

To have a consistently good product is a challenge that White Hat is ready to meet. They believe that their AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FROZEN YOGURT is going to set new standards for everyone. Their product is freshly made every day and tastes soooo good, you won’t be able to keep it off your mind. In fact, it will always be on top of your mind, on top of your head, and it will always be known as….THE WHITE HAT®.

The Wizard’s Hat – Large – P155

WHY SHOULD YOU EAT YOGURT?

Here are yogurt’s 6 health benefits:

- BETTER DIGESTION. Real yogurt contains LIVE, ACTIVE CULTURES (lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus) sometimes known as “PROBIOTICS”. These help people with gastrointestinal conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, H. Pylori infection, colon cancer,, and those who are lactose intolerant.

- STRONGER BONES. Real yogurt contains CALCIUM, which is essential for building strong bones and helps to prevent Osteoporosis.

- REDUCES THE RISK OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. A study made with 5,000 students in Spain showed that eating 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy a day led to lower blood pressure.

- BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. Real yogurt with live, active cultures boosts the immune system by increasing white blood cells which fight infection.

- BIGGER MUSCLES. Real yogurt contains PROTEIN which are needed in muscle building.
WEIGHT LOSS. Eating low-fat yogurt in place of other high-fat desserts helps in losing weight without the feeling of being deprived.

But don’t take my word for it, go and visit The White Hat and try it out for yourself. White Hat guarantees that you will love their product…. it’s sooo good, or they’ll eat their hats!

The White Hat is at the 2nd level, Building C hallway of the Northwing, SM City Cebu (in between Karat World and David’s Salon).

Grüezi! That’s one fine Swiss hello to a great feast as the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu celebrates Swiss National Day, along with its traditional food fest entitled “Swiss Alpine Festival”.

Last year, Swiss nationals and locals alike were truly delighted by the authentic showcase of Swiss cuisine, art and culture at the Marco Polo Plaza. The food festival culminated with the Swiss National Day with great entertainment, games and exciting raffle prizes!

Now on its 4th year, the Marco Polo Plaza calls on all global citizens once more to join this exciting week of culinary journey to Switzerland, as well as celebrate Swiss National Day.

From July 30, Friday, until August 8, Swiss traditions cross oceans to the hotel’s Café Marco, where diners can enjoy a gourmet selection as comprehensive as the alphabet. Those who come for lunch and dinner get to enjoy Swiss delicacies from Alpine air-dried beef to chocolates, cheese fondue to raclettes, roesti, sausages, and Zurich-style veal. Enjoy a world of Swiss goodness alongside Café Marco’s international buffet favorites. The Café Marco serves lunch from 12:00 pm until 2:30 pm at Php 885 and dinner from 6:30 pm until 10:00 pm at Php 1,072.

On Saturday, July 31, the Marco Polo Plaza, to be led by General Manager Hans Hauri, a Swiss national himself, will also celebrate Swiss National Day – a truly festive affair to honor and gather Swiss nationals outside their homeland.

Swiss National Fest dinner tickets will be sold at Php 1,090+ for a delectable spread of Swiss buffet at the Garden Terrace, unlimited soft drinks and juices, great entertainment, traditional games, bonfire and a chance to win some exciting prizes. Also, enjoy a Swiss Weekend Package from July 30 to August 2, with room rates starting at Php 2,999+.

So come up to Nivel Hills, celebrate Swiss National Day and experience a wonderful week of ultimate Swiss goodness from A to Z, only at Cebu City’s finest, the Marco Polo Plaza! For inquiries and reservations, call 253-111 loc 8245 or email mpplaza@marcopolohotels.com.

With its passion for coffee and excellence, CoffeeCat promises to further enrich the highly developed coffee culture scene in this city already spoiled with choices which begs the question: Will CoffeeCat make it big in Cebu? Will CoffeeCat have a place in the Cebuanos’ highly discriminative taste? Read on.

What’s in a name: CoffeeCat…? The name ‘Coffeecat’ is the product of an intriguing play of words coupled with a serendipitous association to a cat-sized mammal called a civet cat, which has a close affinity towards coffee berries.

“The concept for CoffeeCat was born out of a dream of creating a new type of meeting place –one that mixes modern, industrial, and minimalist elements yet retains a warm and cozy ambiance for good conversations, great beverages and delectable dishes.”, says JC Tan, President and General Manager of CoffeeCat. “This is a meeting place that recognizes the Filipinos’ cultural tradition of taking a break from daily workday life and relaxing in the company of others. These, combined with the Italian coffee culture and influence of the North American pastry tradition all came together in the vision of Coffeecat.”, he adds.

Mr. Tan is very young at 24 years old so it’s not astonishing that the coffee shop is dynamic, complex, sophisticated, yet simple, a reflection of today’s youth.

Marie Peluchi Tan (Coffee Cat Corporate Secretary and District Manager for Cebu) and JC Tan, being grilled by the all-female media representatives.

CoffeeCat Cebu is 90 square meters of stylish and chic space which can accommodate a total of 60 guests with its indoor and outdoor seating combined. The café specializes in expertly handcrafted beverages made from premium coffee blend illy®, a careful balance of 9 types of pure Arabica beans from South and Central America, India and Africa which creates the unmistakable illy flavor always identical in any espresso cup, wherever it is drunk around the world; non-coffee drinks like Avalanche™ Ice Blends and its signature product – Yogo™ Premium Frozen Yogurt in Original or Green Tea Flavors.

April Rama, Jaja Chiongbian-Rama, Cebu City Councilor Eduardo Rama and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, grace the opening of CoffeeCat!

REVIEW: During the opening last Friday, July 16, 2010, I only got to taste YOGO, their very own frozen yogurt. I got the medium size with 2 toppings: strawberry and mini Oreos. Verdict: I LOVE. At least for me, the right blend of sweetness-sourness and creaminess is just perfect. Meanwhile, I wasn’t able to taste their coffee products but I visited the shop again last Sunday to taste the Vanilla Avalanche. Most of the time, I always order the Vanilla Frap when I’m in any coffee shop so I had to try CoffeeCat’s own version of the drink. I was very well satisfied. It’s actually a notch higher when compared to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s Vanilla Frap Drink plus the whipped cream was really creamy and had volume. It has this “melt in your mouth” feel.

Sinjin’s Yogurt

YOGO is available in small, medium, large and pint sizes. There are 3 types of toppings available: FRUIT (mango, banana, pineapple, blueberry, strawberry, kiwi fruit, mandarin orange, peach red ruby cherry, grape), DRY (Mochi, Special K, Meuslix, Butterfinger, Reese’s, Fudge Brownie, M&M Minis, Oreo Cookie, Desiccated Coconut, Granola, Crushed Graham, Sliced Almond), LIQUID (organic honey, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce).

Yogo™ Toppings

Guests may also check their email, download a file before a meeting, or simply browse the internet by logging on to Coffeecat’s in-store free wireless internet service aptly called wireless@coffeecat.

Special thanks to Ms. Jaja and April for inviting the Cebu Bloggers Society to the opening!

Ribbon Cutting with Cebu Holdings Inc. President Francis Monera, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Ms. Marie Peluchi Tan of CoffeeCat.

The Cebu Bloggers Society at the Coffee Cat Opening

MORE PHOTOS:

Orange Brutus Brute Burger

The hamburger is so much of a household word even among Cebuanos that only few people have come to wonder of its origins beyond the general knowledge of it being an American food. The more initiated might however care to trace how immigrants from Hamburg, Germany introduced it to North America sometime in the 19th century where it later evolved from an ordinary slab of ground meat sandwich into something embellished with cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion, mustard, etc. Some others may have more scholarly inputs about how the so-called Hamburg style dish was actually brought to Germany by Russians in the 14th century. Meanwhile, there are others who might actually recount readings about how the hamburger “patty” was first noted in the medieval times among a band of Mongolian and Turkish warriors called “Tartars”. With all these, we could so easily spur an animated classroom discussion about other possible “google-able” accounts.

How then did a treat so identifiably American come to be also very much localized, specifically in Cebu? While the details of its actual origin are vague, the hamburger or burger as we now generally call it has one historical account based on real facts—at least, the story of its popularity in Cebu, Philippines.
The tale unfolded in the year 1980 when New Wave and radical folk music began hitting the record stores and blaring louder through the airwaves. These also seemed to herald in the feverish political situation in the Philippines, and with it, a flagging economy. It was only expected that many businesses even then were looking gloomily and nervously at their balance sheets. For some others, business seemed utterly hopeless.

In spite of this picture, two visionary young entrepreneurs admirably strove to find the silver lining. These entrepreneurs determined themselves to write a statement in Cebu’s food industry springing from a mind to revolutionize the food retail industry in the Visayas. And write they did and in bold letters too! This was how the first ever hamburger chain in Cebu – ORANGE BRUTUS was thus born.

The hamburger was a relatively a novel food for the Filipinos at that time but the two entrepreneurs proceeded with the venture with astute boldness. The first store was opened in Colon Street, Cebu City situated in Fairmart –the newest department store then. The first Orange Brutus shop was simple but brightly and attractively decorated. People delighted in the good and reasonably priced food. The charbroiled burgers and fresh fruit shakes were the main sellers.

Orange Brutus Burger Steak

Orange Brutus Chicken

It has been 30 years since the entrepreneur founders opened the first Orange Brutus outlet. Over the years since then, more food products have been introduced including the best selling Sizzling Burger Steak and Chicken Brutus. Today, Orange Brutus has elevated itself to even higher levels with a known consciousness for the health of its customers.

While the details of its actual origin are vague, the hamburger or burger as we now generally call it has one historical account based on real facts—at least, the story of its popularity in Cebu, Philippines

Orange Brutus Fruit Shakes

Orange Brutus Chocolate Monster

The company’s concern is expressed through the healthy and nutritious food it serves. It only uses the freshest ingredients –Fresh fruits for the thirst-quenching fruit shakes, fresh vegetables for its entrée and garnishing. Meanwhile, burgers are charbroiled to ensure meat products are low in LDL or bad cholesterol and are never pre-cooked. Moreover, only corn oil, one of the healthier oils, is used for all the fried items.

For Orange Brutus, the year 2010 is a year of triumphant celebration. From the humble downtown store it started with, it now takes pride in its 21 outlets spread all over metro Cebu and nearby towns. The most recent outlets are those in Robinson’s Cybergate and Naga, Cebu which opened just last January 24. Before them was the outlet in Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan which opened December 15, 2009. Other outlets are: Ayala Center Cebu; Ayala Cart; Carcar; Colon1;Colon2 (Trader’s Market); Elizabeth Mall; Fuente Osmeña; Gaisano Fiesta Mall; LapuLapu; P. Del Rosario; Ranudo Bldg. corner Ramos St. (Velez College); Shoe Mart; Mactan Marina Mall (MEPZ 1); Southgate Plaza (MEPZ 2); Cebu Doctors’ Hospital; Centro Mandaue; Maguikay Mandaue; and Argao.

From the medieval era to the modern times, from the other side of the globe to Cebu, Philippines… the burger has traversed a very long way regardless of a hazy genesis story. One great thing that stands certain however, is how deep and how long this Cebuano burger chain icon that is, ORANGE BRUTUS has grown on the hearts of many a true blue Cebuano and the loyal patrons it has served in the last three decades. *(Visit http://www.orangebrutus.com/)

Mark your calendars as another food outlet is set to open in Cebu. Yogurt lovers and health enthusiasts, rejoice! On March 8, 2010, Monday, Frizberry Yogurt will finally open its doors to the health-conscious and those who are looking for something new to tickle their taste buds!

Frizberry Yogurt is located at the 2nd level of the Main Mall, SM City Cebu, right across Salon de Rose.

“”Frizberry: Healthy lifestyle in a Yogurt!”

“Yihee! Sobrang Cheesy!” This is the catchphrase made popular by the Philippines favorite pizza chain, Greenwich. The insightful and brilliantly-executed campaign is on a league of its own as it bagged numerous awards, including the prestigious Gold Araw Award for Best Integrated Campaign in the recent Philippine Advertising Congress. Greenwich is the only QSR to win the highest honor as it topped all other major campaigns across different industries. The phenomenal success of the Cheesy Campaign is a milestone for Greenwich – a feat that would definitely be hard to surpass. But a new year gives Greenwich a fresh opportunity to even do better than before. This 2010, prepare for the biggest bang from Greenwich dahil ang favorite pizza chain ninyo, nag-level up na!

Greenwich jumpstarts the year with a complete line-up of new and exciting innovations – from its core product of pizza and pasta all the way to its side items. No other brand has dared launch new products across different categories all at the same time! Not only is Greenwich leveling up in terms of its innovations, but also with its ability to provide the best in-store customer experience. With all these efforts, Greenwich promises to make 2010 the most anticipated year ever for its customers!

Greenwich Ultimate Hawaiian Overload

Kicking off the excitement is Greenwich’s newest premium pizza offering, the Ultimate Hawaiian Overload. Sure to satisfy the cravings of Filipino pizza lovers, Greenwich gives you an upgraded taste of your favorite Hawaiian pizza by loading it with 2x more Hawaiian toppings – premium ham, glazed pineapple, smoked bacon and 100% Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese. With such a leveled up pizza goodness, you’ll never run out of fun to fill you up at the start of the year.

Aside from their signature pizza and pasta, Greenwich also promises new deliciously filling American-inspired meals. The Greenwich American Lunch Specials are big in taste and big in serving – perfect for those who are always hungry for more.

Greenwich Quarter Slab Ribs

Greenwich Thick and Tender Chops

Friends would certainly look forward to having lunch with the new Greenwich Quarter Slab Ribs and Thick ‘N Tender Chops on the menu. Your favorite ribs and chops that are only available in high-end casual dining restaurants priced at more than P300 each are now served at Greenwich fast casual stores, both priced at less than P200 and served with a drink. Greenwich Thick N’ Tender Chops comes with java rice, mixed veggies and a regular drink for P179; while the Greenwich Quarter Slab Ribs is marinated in a special sauce for P199, also with java rice, mixed veggies and regular drink.

Greenwich Pizza Fries

The new Greenwich Pizza Fries also serves as the perfect side dish to complement both Greenwich’s pizza, pasta and meals. The fries is available in two flavors – pepperoni, and cheese and garlic, and comes with a special pizza sauce dip.

Greenwich Pasta Supreme

And it seems that the new pizza, lunch specials and side item aren’t enough, the new range of Pasta Supreme was launched 1st week of February–

Greenwich Bacon Chicken Carbonara Supreme

NEW Bacon Chicken Carbonara Supreme offers a taste of heaven with its tender bacon and chicken slices, smothered in rich creamy white sauce with three cheeses (cream, special, parmesan), and topped with mushroom and parsley flakes.

Greenwich 3 Cheese and Sausage Supreme

NEW 3-Cheese and Sausage Supreme gives you three sausages (bratwurst, French grill, pepperoni) in a sauce that blends three cheeses (cream, special, parmesan), and topped with crisp parmesan crumbs and parsley flakes.

Greenwich Meatball Spaghetti Supreme

NEW Meatball Spaghetti Supreme offers flavorful marinara sauce made from premium seasoned tomatoes, topped with juicy meatballs, and sprinkled with parmesan cheese and parsley flakes.

Greenwich Lasagna Supreme

Lasagna Supreme has three cheeses (special, cheddar, mozzarella), imported beef and noodles, and rich flavorful blend of tomato and cream sauce.

New Greenwich Pizza Box

All these great news are best enjoyed at all Greenwich fast casual stores nationwide. Cebu has 3 fast casual stores—Raintree Mall, Ayala Center Cebu and SM Cebu. Visit any of these stores to witness a leveled up dining experience. Stylish and colorful new store team uniforms complement Greenwich’s new look. With renowned fashion designer Randy Ortiz at the helm, the look of the chain’s service-oriented crew is sure to help bring out their happiest smiles and provide the friendliest service .

Constantly check out the new Greenwich website at www.greenwich.com.ph as it gives you up-to-date Greenwich barkada news, exclusive access to behind-the-scenes photos and videos of campaigns, product launches and promos.

Nothing beats a great year – and with so much in store, Greenwich is already ahead of 2010 more than you can expect. If 2009 proved to be a spectacular year, get ready for a bigger and more exciting campaign with even better service and bigger surprises from your favorite pizza chain as it continues to make friends get-togethers even more fun and special.

Photo Snap
- For every Php 1,000 single receipt transaction at any TriNoma alfresco restaurant on February 14, you and your loved ones can have your photo taken at the Photo Snap booth.
Feb. 14 • 1pm-9pm • Level 4 Cinema Lobby
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 0813, Series of 2010

Helicopter Flower Drop
- Witness thousands of petals fall from the sky for a memorable Valentine’s Day experience.
Feb. 14 • Between 4pm to 5pm • Level 4 Park

Love Treats
- Enjoy dining at TriNoma’s alfresco restaurants and receive love indulgence from TriNoma
Feb. 14 • 12nn-2pm and 6pm-8pm

Love is in the Air
- Let hearts soar high to the beat of love with Douglas Nierras Powerdance.
Directed by Mr. Douglas Nierras
Feb. 14 • 6pm • Activity Center

Harana
- Best of Filipino Love Songs
Feb. 13 • 6pm • Level 4 Park

Ani ng Sining sa Ayala
- An art festival featuring world class Filipino talents.
Feb. 14 • 4pm-6pm • Level 4 Park

Sinulog, which comes from the Cebuano word sulog, which describes the backward-forward movement of the dance, is one of the most colorful festivals in the country. It is held annually on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Niño or Christ Child.

2nd Sinulog Pyrofest.
Cebu’s biggest pyrotechnics competition
January 16, 2010, Saturday, fronting the Northwing

Sinulog Short Film Festival.
Sinulog 2010 Photo Contest and Short Film Competition Awarding
January 30, 2010, Saturday, SM Cinema 1

Sinulog 2010 Photo Exhibit.
Featuring the winning entries of the Sinulog 2010 Photo Contest
January 31 to February 10, 2010

Miss Cebu 2010.
Online voting for Miss Cebu Photogenic 2010
December 10, 2009 to January 11, 2010, 2nd Level of The Northwing, fronting Paru-Paru

2009 Sinulog Photo Contest Winners Exhibit.
Featuring the winning entries of past Sinulog Photo Contests.
December 15, 2009 to January 31, 2010, 2nd Level of The Mail Mall, between Annie’s and Tribu

Sto. Nino Exhibit.
A display of the many images of the Sto. Nino
January 6 to 31, 2010, SM City Cebu Art Center

Cebu! Cebu!.
An exhibit of Cebu’s bests in fashion, art, food, music and furniture
January 8 to 17, 2010, The Northwing Atrium

11th Sinulog Export Overruns and Consumer Bazaar.
The annual biggest popular bazaar in Southern Philippines
January 8 to 18, 2010, SM City Cebu Trade Hall

Sinulog at the Mall.
Watch Sinulog performers dance to the Sinulog beat around the mall
January 11 to 17, 2010

Sinulog Festival Sale.
Awesome finds at marked-down prices
January 11 to 18, 2010, mallwide

2nd Northwing Street Party.
Non-stop entertainment featuring Cebu’s talents
January 15, 2010, Friday, The Northwing Al Fresco Area