Chillin' 24/7 @ Diners Hub

Have you ever felt like going out at 4am and sing your lungs out but you just don't know where to go? How about waking up in the middle of the night and just thirst for an ice cold beer? I know just the place for you. Nice crowd, reasonably priced, fully air-conditioned, with a wide variety of food choices and ice cold beer, open 24/7... where else? Ladies and Gents, it's the DINERS HUB!


Diners Hub is located at #432 B.S. Aquino Drive, Villamonte, (from Robinson's Square, just cross the street to Great Wok and go straight ahead, you wouldn't miss it!) The place is simple but will definitely cater to the demands of unwinding after a stressful day.

I can't seem to stop talking about the prices because where else can you find an offer of 6 bottles of beer (your choice of course) plus a plate of either sisig or bopis, for only P200!!! And there's no such thing as "Happy Hour", this promo is available anytime of the day! Just Unthinkable! 

Not only that, they also offer meals for P29 only! A great deal for students and those who want to eat without splurging much!

And guess what? Every 15th and end of the month, they have a Seafood Buffet for only P350! You will surely forget one of the seven deadly sins because you will devour succulent crabs, juicy shrimps, humongous scallops and the ever popular oysters! Not to mention sizzling tangigue and squid! When I saw the last buffet they had, the sight of the alimangos just devastated me. How I wish I wasn't busy that time. 

Diners Hub's menu is still a work in progress but let me share to you some of their specialties.

So, the next time that you just want to chill out, count on Diners Hub to put a smile on your face, 24/7!

My First Milk Tea (Ever!)

http://beta-2.gupo.com.ph/Deals/MetroManila/MangChaaVoucherworthPhp150forONLYPhp100.aspx

I have always been a "coffee person" and has somehow disregarded tea thinking that the latter is only supposed to be drank hot if I have a tummy ache. Everytime I would spot milk tea on a menu, I am so in a hurry to skip it. I guess I just didn't have enough curiosity to discover what it has to offer and thought that milk tea should be left to the Brits.

Just this evening, fate brought to my attention a little stall at one of the local grocery stores. For no apparent reason, I stopped by and checked the menu. There it was, Mang Cha-a's MILK TEA! 

The very accommodating and knowledgeable staff gave several recommendations that I just couldn't resist. So, I took a leap and ordered the bestseller Wintermelon Milk Tea with pearls (P55) and Caramel Macchiato (P45).

As I waited for my order, I had a quick chat with the cashier and I learned that they only started business last Sunday, April 8 and Savemore East is their one and only outlet. She showed me the different add ons and I got a little excited with what they call the poppers. It's like a liquid gel caplet that pops into your mouth and exudes the sweet strawberry flavor. Unfortunately, I didn't order anything with strawberry so I wasn't able to really try the experience. Nevertheless I find it fun and something new that I even recommended it to the customer next to me!

Mang Cha-a offers a variety of flavors on their milk tea like caramel,taro pudding, hazelnut, matcha red, almond, chocolate, strawberry, wintermelon, and blueberry among others.  They also have iced tea that comes in orange, lemon, green apple, peach, lychee and wintermelon. If one is not a giver to tea, they have iced coffee available with choices of hazelnut, caramel macchiato and Mang Cha-a special blend.

Mang Cha-a who has been in the business since 2000, guarantees healthy,  fast and delectable milk tea drinks specially made in Taiwan has finally arrived in Bacolod.

After the server was done in carefully preparing the drinks, off we went to the New Government Center to do the ultimate taste test. The Verdict? 3 Stars! Why so? For it's affordable price, convenient location and variety, it just fits. I just wish that the caramel macchiato could've been served in crushed ice rather than in cubes. The wintermelon milk tea that I usually avoid? It tastes good so I know that I would be coming back again to have another round. 

Top 10 on My "Holy Week" Food List

Growing up with a baptist background, I have always been diligently participative in my mom's plans, from attending the 3pm church service on Good Friday (regardless of the excruciating heat), watching the procession of the different statues that would traditionally pass by our ancestral home and attending the early morning service on Easter Sunday. 

The ultimate reward would be the different foods that mom would either buy or prepare for us and if one dish would be missing, I would feel so incomplete. 

Let me share with all of you my gastronomic wish list for this Holy Week.

1. Valenciana - made from glutinuous rice (pilit as we call it in Ilonggo) mixed with chicken liver, chicken cuts, shrimp, raisins, and chorizo bilbao. 

Owen Segovia Bayog Photography

2. Ibos - Another dish made from "pilit" wrapped in young coconut leaves and steamed. Usually served with mangoes but my favorite would be dipping it in "Milo". Sooooo chocolatey!

http://philippinescuisine.blogspot.com/2010/11/ibos.html

3. Suman Latik - This one is similar to ibos but the topping is only Latik and in Bacolod usually it's young coconut strips mixed in thickened brown sugar syrup. 

http://flavoursofiloilo.blogspot.com/2009/05/suman-latik.html

4. Suman (Bacolod Style) - There are a lot of interpretations when it comes to suman but for me this is "THE One"! It is a "MUST" to top it with the original latik which is just simmered coconut milk until it solidifies and fried in its own oil. Definitely, no "UMAY" with my mom's suman, as in!

http://sallylyngestrella.blogspot.com/2011/11/you-know-youre-from-bacolod-philippines.html

5. Bibingka - Who would miss this one. I think in every outside premise of any church, you would see vendors selling bibingka. 

6.  Barquillos - In every procession I would witness, the very first to catch my attention is barquillos. Vendors would walked with it and sell these crunchy delicacy. (Just make sure you have water with you to avoid choking. )

http://tanglednoodle.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html

7. Agogo - When I was younger, there was what we call "velvet", a popsicle with I guess lots of cornstarch and comes in violet (ube) and yellow (mango). Then came the much convenient "agogo". This time it comes with more flavors, avocado, sweet corn, strawberry, grapes and much much more.

8. Cansi - Come Easter Lunch, Cansi would top everything! 

Photo By: Lee Santiago

9. Lechon - Easter Sunday is more fun if celebrated at a beach. With one kilo of lechon, OMG, SUPERB!

Owen Segovia Bayog Photography

10. "Sisi" - Speaking of beaches, of course it will be perfect with the local cultured oysters, better known as sisi. Dip it in sinamak, what more could one ask for.

Owen Segovia Bayog Photography

Just remember that this indulgence will never be completely enjoyed unless we grasp the essence of gratitude towards God's sacrifice of allowing His Son to die on the cross just for us.