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It was a good day for a scrumptious lunch. And I had the best one yet, thanks to the Let's Meat Up event held at Kitchen 1B in Makati. I was able to fill my stomach with top-notch beef and lamb from Australia through dishes prepared by US-based food blogger and Asian food proponent Malou Perez-Nievera (SkiptoMalou).

The luncheon table made up of guest bloggers, MLA, and Kitchen 1B peeps

Showcasing different meat cuts in 5 easy-to-prepare dishes (even busy moms can do it), Ms. Malou churned out one luscious delight after another.

In the kitchen, demoing how to cook Aussie beef and giving tips

While demonstrating how easy it is to cook top-grade beef from Australia, Ms. Malou was also dishing out tips and tricks, such as substituting lemongrass with calamansi rind. She said that we don't need to be a stickler to using every ingredient on the recipe, especially when you're already cooking with great meat.

It wasn't long before food is coming out of the kitchen. And here is the first dish: Australian Beef Sirloin with Hoisin and Fish Sauce Reduction.


The beef was a perfect medium rare, cooked 5 and 4 (5 minutes on one side and 4 minutes on the other). It was topped with the reduction sauce and peanuts. Yes, peanuts. With a side dish of steamed veggies. It was easy to slice and the taste was excellent, if a little on the salty side. It was great with the veggies, though. It was just the right size, too.

Next, another delicious steak recipe. An upgraded version of sisig, if you will, but a super chunky one. Mango Tango Australian Beef Tenderloin.

The sosyal version of sisig, a fave Filipino dish
This one I really, really loved. The combination of taste--sweet from the ripe mango, tangy from the sauce and tomato, and salty from the tenderloin--was just PERFECT. The tenderloin was cut in bite-size pieces, so you can fill a spoon up with all the ingredients in. Now, if they served this first I would've devoured it in minutes (and would have left no more space for the other 3 dishes. Sad.). And because I like this a lot, I'm going to share the recipe at the end of this review.

Just a few minutes after the Mango Tango dish was served, the next one was being brought out. This time it's Sesame Meat Balls with Sweet and Sour Sauce.


It was a regular meat ball dish but was made tastier by using premium Australian ground beef. And take note, the meat balls were not fried, they were baked! Which is probably why it didn't lose any of its taste. Plus, it's healthier. The sauce, too, made the dish stand out, contrasting with the savoriness of the meat. It was your typical meat ball made extraordinary by the cooking method and the premium meat used.

After this round, I was so full I could only drink water. So, it took me a while to taste the next meal that came out: Australian Beef Wrapped Shrimp on Chili Gravy.


This combination of meat and shrimp is perfect for cocktails. In fact, you can serve it in a glass like the image above. Again, the meat was tender and the whole dish was seasoned well. The addition of the chili gravy was just what it needed to add a little something to the food.

The last meal was something I've never eaten before. It was Grilled Lamb Chops, made with Australian lamb in red wine and truffle sauce. And it was superb! I mean, it was tender and juicy. To me, it tasted like pork, only 10,000 times better. I could've eaten more of this but was too full to take more than 2 bites. But at least I was able to savor it. They serve this at Kitchen 1B for almost PHP 2,000.

Lamb chops, yummmmm!

The other dish Ms. Malou Nievera cooked was the Breakfast Tapa Burrito, perfect for those leftover steaks from last night. Sadly, I wasn't able to taste this as there wasn't any more space in my tummy.

Kitchen 1B also served Goat Cheese Salad, organic popcorn, vegetable spring roll, onion rings, and a couple of desserts (Blueberry Cheesecake, and I think choco pie).

Organic popcorn, salted just right

Veggie spring rolls with apricot sauce

BIIIIG onion rings

Goat cheese salad,beets, and peppery arugula
Mouthwatering viands aside, with this intimate luncheon, MLA hopes to promote high-quality beef and lamb meats from Australia and its health benefits. With Malou Nievera's easy recipes, busy working moms or even stay-at-home moms can serve their kids and husbands with great tasting meals any time. It sure made me want to try the Mango Tango, the recipe of which I'm now going to share with you.

Mango Tango Australian Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients:
1 to 1.5 kilos Australian beef tenderloin
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
salt and pepper
2 tbsp oilve oil

Mango Tango:
1 pc medium mango, cubed
1 pc medium tomato, cubed
1/4 tsp freshly grated ginger
onions sliced

Sauce:
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/3 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
Thai bird's eye chili

Procedure:
1. Preheat grill to medium high. Season meat generously with salt and pepper. Lather with olive oil. Sear the sides of beef until it's nice and brown.
2. Lower heat and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, depending of the thickness of the meat.
3. Remove meat from grill and brush with butter.
4. Mix the sauce.
5. Toss the mango tango and sliced beef tenderloin in the sauce.



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Last October 5, KNATION Music Showcase 2014 was held at the SMX Convention Center in MOA. It showcased 5 Kpop groups with the main act being UKISS. The other 4 were MPire, Bigstar, 4 Ladies, and Winners Crew (a dance group). I know of MPire and Bigstar because I've seen them on M Countdown, and Feeldog, leader of Bigstar, as a guest on KBS's Dream Team. This is the first time I've of 4 Ladies and Winners Crew though.


Anyway, I didn't know about this until 2 days before it was set to happen. My friend and colleague, Dompy, texted me and told me that UKISS will be in Manila (she knows I'm a KissMe). OMG! How could I have missed this?! I'm an 'effin useless fangirl. I haven't been reading Kpop news in a while and haven't been logging on to the Kpop Forums (OneHallyu in particular) because some crap at work was ongoing. But that was not an EXCUSE!

So, I redeemed myself and bought a ticket the very next day. I didn't even think about that hardship of commuting to SM MOA located at the other side of the Metro from where I lived. Since this was held at SMX, SM Malls sold the tickets. I thought about buying the VVIP tickets which cost PHP 4,200, but then settled for the VIP tickets at PHP 3,180 because I reasoned that the only I act really wanted to see was UKISS and that they will probably just be on stage for like 30 minutes (they were on stage for like 45 minutes).

I got there about 3 hours early because I wanted to look around the mall first and then buy merch at the Knation booths. I bought a lot of UKISS stuff like a lightstick, 2 shirts, posters, a bagtag, and a door sign. Yey! Finally, I have all my fave Kpop groups on my wall: SHINee, Infinite, and UKISS. Weeehoo!

I was also, finally, able to taste Melona ice cream. I was in Seoul in May and wasn't able to taste this ice cream. It was delicious! I want more! Need to find some Korean Mart near our house, fast!

The stage where groups performed Kpop dances

The merch section

The Faceshop's Photo Booth with Kim Soo Hyun

After, waiting for hours and going through a crazy, disorganized line (I was getting angry at management for not properly labeling lines for different ticket holders. They acted so late that the show which was supposed to start at 6 PM ended up starting at around 7:30 PM or even later!) I was finally inside the SMX Halls 3 and 4 and about to see UKISS for the very first time. I was so excited.

My UKISS stash.  Love the black shirt.
I enjoyed the parts before UKISS, but wasn't really into the other groups. So, when finally UKISS came on stage, I was shouting my butt off. I was placed perfectly to the right side of the stage where Kevin and Jun were always positioned in their dance routines. YEY!

Eli, Hoon, Soohyun, Kevin, and Jun (missing in photo: Kiseop)

I was filming the whole time, so I would have a remembrance of when and where I saw them first. Hopefully this won't be my last, and hopefully I will be able to get to them up close and personal. I was blown away by how good they were live and on stage. Unlike the previous groups who performed before them, UKISS' vocals were always spot on even if they were dancing so hard. Kevin's voice was so clear and strong and didn't even go off pitch (but who was I to tell, not an expert by any means). There was backtrack playing in the background but you can definitely hear that they were singing live. It was so obvious in that small, intimate venue. They should be bigger in Korea, sadly, they are not. But their international fans love them a lot, so they continue to make music.

Kiseop saying his message to KissMes

Kevin the interpreter X-)

In the end, UKISS seemed very pleased with the adoring KissMes that Soohyun promised, "as the group's leader", to come back to the Philippines to a bigger venue for a full concert. They also cited that they held their very first concert here in Manila, so they are very thankful to the Filipino KissMes. Ahhh, I know UKISS love their fans a lot. You can tell how they appreciate the fans. They never forget, and that's what makes them worthy of my support and love. Nucks.
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They say the best things in life are free. But not everything is free, right? You can get closer though, with ZAP, a rewards card that gives you up to 20% cashback points for every purchase you make at a partner merchant.

You don't even need a card to earn your rewards with ZAP because all you have to do is enter your registered mobile number at a ZAP terminal inside the merchant store. And registration couldn't have been made easier and simpler. Just go to ZAP's website www.zap.com.ph and sign up for an account. Then, download the free mobile app so you can have a list of accredited establishments right at your fingertips. Easy, no?

The ZAPtag you can stick on your phone and ZAP terminal
How does it work? Simple. When you buy or eat or use the services of a ZAP partner merchant and enter your mobile at the ZAP terminal you get the cashback reward for the amount you spent. Say, for example, you spent PHP 1,000 at Burgoo, which gives 5% cashback points, you earn 50 points or PHP 50 back. You can accumulate points or cash and use it to pay for your next purchase at a partner store.

There are over 450 establishments where you can use ZAP. These include Converse, Happy Lemon, Jipan, Red Mango, Kichitora, Banana Leaf, Beyond the Box, Shang Cineplex, Sugarhouse, Pepper Lunch, and Elorde Boxing Gym to name a few.

Want to watch a movie? Just enter the promo code GHCINEMA when you dowload the app from the Play Store or the App Store and get 50% cashback at the Greenhills Cinema. Kaching, kaching!

Thanks to Blogapalooza 2014 I discovered ZAP and was able to register at their booth. Now, I can start earning points and use it to pay for my next massage session.
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Reinventing the buffet concept in the country to match those in the international scene is NIU by Vikings. The stylish, elegant restaurant is located on the 6th floor of SM Aura Premiere and offers an upscale dining experience fit for the rich and famous.

Thanks to the Blogapalooza 2014 I was able to experience, a little, of what it feels like to dine here. NIU offered a tour of the restaurant between services (lunch and dinner) for bloggers who signed up at their booth at the event.

Marketing Director Charles Stewart Lee at the NIU booth at Blogapalooza
A glimpse of what you can eat at NIU

NIU, the Viking word for nine, delights with an array of meals from grilled seafood, roasted meats, Japanese and Chinese cuisines, and pastries.

Sushi and maki at the Japanese station

More Japanese goodness

I love the chalkboard sign

Seafood grill station. Yuh-uh-mmy!

For dessert (my favorite), they have soft-serve ice cream, gelato, milk and white chocolate fountains, mini-cakes, and fruits.

Milk and white chocolate fountain with the fun stuff you can dip in it

Bluberry cheesecake with strawberry on top

Mango pastry with a delicious fruit pastille on top

For drinks, they serve cocktails, sub-zero draft beer, several juices, soda, and wine. Yes. Wine. In unlimited supply.

Below zero draft beer

Recipe for disaster (hangover)

The bar with cocktail recipes and a selection of wine
 
Being a coffee lover, I remember noticing that they have 2 espresso machines that automatically grinds fresh beans and makes you espresso. They also have a variety of Twinings tea.

Espresso machine 1

An array of Twinings tea

Espresso machine 2

The tour NIU prepared for bloggers lasted just a few minutes, and at the end, we were given a chance to taste a few of their appetizers and desserts. Woohoo! I wasn't expecting it though, I just thought we'd go through a tour--which was a little bit disorganized--and that's it.

Plush chairs and elegant decor all around

Table setting for 4

I want to bring this home :(

It's all in the details, y'all

The piano at the heart of the restaurant


Here's my plate. First, the ones of the black serving dishes (counter clockwise order): Gindara Teriyaki (fish) on a slice of carrot; Lechon Macau with mustard and cucumber (a surprising and delicious mix of flavor I want to try with a regular lechon); Stromboli with some sweet cheese and ham (i think) on a creamy sauce; and super yummy Sushi.


There's the Mango pastry whose green tea bottom keeps getting left behind and wouldn't stick with the rest of the cake. It was ok. Nothing to rave about. Then the Blueberry Cheesecake, whose texture I didn't like, also tasted blah. IMHO, Sara Lee's tasted better.


The Sisig on top on the mini-baguette slice (middle of the plate) was also yummy. I should've gotten more of this, but was too shy because this is just free. Then, IMO, the star of this plate, the Roast Beef with the sauce on top of a mini-baguette slice. Wow! I tasted chewy, soft roast beef with an aftertaste of wasabi. Something I've never tasted before. The sauce just completes the whole thing. It was meaty heaven. I wanted more of this. Next time, when I'm paying for my meal.

For my drink, I was debating on lemongrass and the peppermint lemon lime, but I chose peppermint, which tasted like toothpaste dissolved in water. LOL. Here's the weird part...I liked it. It was a great palate cleanser.

I wouldn't have known about NIU if wasn't for Blogapalooza because SM Aura is a little far from where I live. But I wouldn't hesitate traveling all the way here to dine at NIU with family. My sister is already intrigued and wants to try it soon.

Rates are above a thousand pesos for lunch buffet and a bit more expensive for the dinner service where they add new dishes to the menu.

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Ok, I never thought I'd see this one day: idol group members singing a crazy song and not being totally right in the head while doing so. I'd peg this right up there with Psy's Gangnam Style and Lim Chang Jung's Yeoboseo. However, the lyrics of this one is funnier, probably because of its truthfulness and simplicity. The song is catchy enough to make you want to listen to it over and over again.

Big Byung, translated to Big Bottle, is composed of N and Hyuk from VIXX, Jackson from GOT7, and Sungjae from BtoB. Talk about a bunch of misfits. They are so funny in the MV. Oh, and from the comments on this video, Kpop fans did not just liked it...they loved it. And they want more Big Byungs! I'm with ya, guys! I want more craziness.

"Why am I even in this group, that's the real STRESS!" ~ VIXX's N


If this group becomes a permanent sub-unit, someone suggested that the fandom name should be Thirsty or Bottle Caps. LOL. I vote Bottle Caps.

But before I even get my hopes up, it was said that this is just a random project they made for the show Hitmaker. Maybe they'd change their minds?

The temp group also made their appearance on the variety show Weekly Idol. Did I say they were hilarious? Can't stress that enough. Ugh, STRESS! X-)


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About Me

Hi! Welcome to my personal blog. I'm a 30-something mom who likes to travel, try new places to eat, read books, and watch movies. I also happen to love fashion, Asian dramas, animes, Studio Ghibli, and Hayao Miyazaki.


If you are passionate about the same stuff, then you'll maybe find my posts interesting, if not, thank you for dropping by.


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