Rustan’s Supermarket has an organic produce section with vegetables priced at 30%-50% more than their non-organic counterparts. Rustan’s also carries Seventh Generation recycled tissue paper, trash bags, and household cleansers.

Cash & Carry and Makati Supermarket carry Nature’s Path Organic Granola and Muesli at very reasonable prices. Try the Hemp Plus Granola, a crunchy, combination of toasted oats, rice crisps, and nutritionally rich shelled hemp seeds that add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as extra protein and fiber.

Weekend markets like the Saturday Market in Salcedo Park (Makati), and Manila Seedling (Quezon City) feature several organic farmers and free range poultry products. Mara also serves organic dishes at P180 per dish. Her famous organic tofu cheese has gained loyal fans in the past decade.

Weekend markets are a great place to find interesting items such as the Citrocello, an alcoholic drink made from organic lemos.

Not all food and products in these markets are 100% organic however. It is still best to exercise your right as a customer and ask about the ingredients.

Apart from the popular Filipino dishes that we have, the Filipino family now enjoys variety — and the influx of restaurants offering other specialties such as pizzas, pastas, salads, and the like are very much appreciated. One such restaurant that has been successful in penetrating the Filipino market is California Pizza Kitchen, or CPK. It started operations in the country in 1998 and has had numerous additions to their menu ever since.

What sets CPK apart from the rest is the ingredients and food preparation. First, they boast of an “open kitchen” that sends the message that cleanliness and safety is given utmost priority. Second, olive oil is used is instead of the regular oil (high in saturated fat) used by other restaurants as a main ingredient for their pizza dough. Third, they use “kosher” certified salt, which means that the said ingredient has met certain standards of cleanliness and is free from impurities. Lastly, they use honey instead of sugar (in all pizza dough and some sauces and salad dressings) and none of their food has MSG (monosodium glutamate).

I was served a dish from their old favorites, the Original Chopped salad which consists of chopped lettuce, basil, salami, chilled roast turkey breast, diced tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese. This was tossed in CPK’s herb-mustard parmesan vinaigrette topped with scallions. It has a refreshing taste to it, with the fresh mix of veggies and just the right amount of dressing that wasn’t too filling. For those who are watching their weight, you may choose not to eat the salami and devour the rest of it!

A visit to CPK won’t be complete without sinking your teeth into a pizza, and I had the Vegetarian with Japanese Eggplant Pizza. It was an exotic combination of broccoli, Mozzarella cheese, grilled Japanese eggplant, roasted corn, sliced red onions, mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes on a tomato-sauce base. The broccoli added the crunch, while the blend of the sun-dried tomatoes with the eggplant was a zesty treat — that even non-veggie eaters can enjoy.

At CPK, you also have the option to have your favorite pizza on honey wheat dough instead of white dough. So the next time you eat at CPK, try exploring their menu. Their new and old entries are packed with delightful favors that your taste buds may have yet to savor.

To start your vacation in sunny Boracay, go to Traviesa and order the Country Fried Chicken Roulade for breakfast. Imagine fresh, tender chicken breast fillet marinated in milk, then rolled with a layer of water spinach and cheese, covered in crushed cornflake breading, fried until light golden brown, and served with a mashed potato.

The restaurant is easy to find. Just look for the Tourist Center near Boat Station 1, walk a few meters toward the beach and you’ll find Asya Boracay resort, where Traviesa is located. Open from 7:00am to 10:30pm, the restaurant offers al fresco dining under a stone and dark wood interior with Asian-inspired furniture and cool bossa nova tunes playing in the background.

Open since September 2006, Traviesa already boasts a loyal customer base that only craves for the best, which includes Pan Fried Snapper (served with grilled vegetables, mashed potato, and tomato’s vinaigrette) and Grilled Prawns (served with basil pesto, rice pilaf, and side salad). With food this sumptuous, it’s no wonder that elegant island-dining in Traviesa can cost about P1000/pax for a complete dinner course with wine. If you’re on a tight budget, the restaurant still offers affordable comfort food like the Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich, which only costs P140, and Arroz a la Cubana for P230.

LUNCH

If you think Dos Mestizos is a couples-only venue, think again. The restaurant recently opened for lunch last December so families can enjoy home-cooked Spanish cuisine together. The resto has even added paper tablecloths and crayons so their young customers can expend their creativity while waiting for the food.

Dos Mestizos was first put up in 2000. It was a small, romantic, “for dinner reservations only” eatery. The restaurant  closed for a short while after Nieto passed on but then reopened in October 2006 in its new location to cater to the growing Boracay market. The tapas and paellas at Dos Mestizos will surely satisfy the Pinoy’s satiable appetite for ulam and rice. For tapas, there are the usual Salpicao de Vacas (stir-fried garlic beef), Callos con Garbanzos (slow-cooked tripe sauteed with tomato and chickpeas), and Aceitunas Verdes Alinadas (green olives marinated in olive oil).

For paellas, we highly recommend Paella Marinara. This dish is a joyous devotion to the abundance of fresh seafood on the island — crab, clams, shrimps, squid, and mussels — and the visual appeal of saffron-infused rice. The price points at Dos Mestizos don’t fall under the average probinsya rates, but we guarantee that the food and the hospitable service are world-class in quality.

Merienda

Just along the shore of Boat Station 1 are two perfect spots to lounge in and have merienda while seeking refuge from the fierce afternoon sun — Island Chicken Inasal and Hawaiian Bar-B-Que.

The most popular dish at Island Chicken Inasal aside from its authentic Bacolod grilled items, is Kansi. This specialty combines the flavors and ingredients of bulalo and sinigang. It uses a unique souring agent called batuan.

At first sight, you’d think Kansi is a type of spicy curry because of the creamy reddish-brown soup and the green siling pangsigang floating on top. But once you dip your spoon in and take a sip, you get both the kick and sweet tartness of sinigang and the succulent taste of beef broth. The beef shank is slow-cooked until extremely tender that the meat sheds easily off the bone.

At Hawaiian Bar-B-Que, a must-try is the Original Hawaiian Baby Back Ribs. The generous helping of grilled, tender meat doused in a sweet and tangy sauce a secret concretion will certainly keep you coming back for more. You should really visit this charming island nook in Boracay and enjoy its laid back Hawaiian vibe.

Everything from the interior to the service is reminiscent of Hawaii — tikis, surfboards, sand torches, grass skirts, floral shirts, luaus, and even a hula dance presented by the wait staff every 15 minutes.

Serving the best in meat dishes — grilled, roasted, even served in soup — husbands will surely love dining in these shoreline eateries. Just a warning: the flavorful chows are not for the faint of heart, so if you plan to drink ice cold beer with your merienda, make sure your cholesterol levels are running on low first

DINNER

When night falls, nothing spells romance better than a candlelit dinner at Aria’s beachfront outdoor location in Boracay. This small Italian eatery serves the only wood-fired oven pizzas on the island. We highly recommend the Aria Pizza with tomato and ham, and the Vegetariana with green bell peppers, tomato, and eggplant. Their crusts are soft and moist to the bite and oozing with creamy, melted mozzarella on top.

For appetizers, try Chef Gino Amado’s favorite: Carpaccio di Tonno, made with thin slices of tuna doused in a delicious lemon-herb marinade and topped with healthy strips of arugula. The Gran Mistro Salad, a vegetarian mix of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, grilled bell peppers, eggplant mash, and deep fried zucchini, won’t disappoint, either. Pennette Al Ragu Di Salsiccia E Funghi is also enjoyable. It’s a red-sauce pasta with Italian sausage and mushrooms.

The menu at Unsui includes an extensive variety of traditional and modern Japanese cuisines, as well as a range of creative sushi and teppanyaki items. The perfect pair for your favorite dish is the wide selection of Japanese Sake brought from various parts of Japan — served mild or dry and hot or cold, depending on your preference and taste. Japanese “Shochu” is also available as well as Japanese beer.

favorites are Yakimoto or grilled dishes, from Tori Terriyaki (chicken) to Unagi Kabayaki (broiled eel), but notable is the Gindara Teriyaki (codfish), grilled to precision and laden with a sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce.

Mouthwatering choices of Obento (variation of Japanese delicacies served on a traditional lacquered tray) are also a must-try. Unsui Bento is a feast of Gindara Teriyaki, Sukiyaki, Assorted Seaweed Dish, Eel Salad, Steamed Rice, Miso Soup, Pickles and dessert. Makanouchi Bento is a delightful combination of Ebi Tempura, Assorted Stewed Dish, Grilled Fish, Sashimi or Chicken Kuwayaki, Steamed Rice, Miso Soup, Pickles and dessert.

For only P350.00, start enjoying the affordable selection of authentic Japanese specialties. Unsui likewise offers the perfect Business Lunch — savor a variety of 12 sets of filling and appetizing meals, also an ideal choice for family, friends and great for people on the go.

Cap off your meal with a selection of homemade ice creams. Discover why Ogura (Red Bean) and Green Tea (Matcha) are bestsellers. And the flavors of Mocha, Vanilla, Ube, Black Atari or Goma (strongly-flavored black sesame paste) and White Atari (slightly flavored white sesame paste) will keep you asking for another round.

Whether you’re in the mood for formal entertainment, business meetings and casual gatherings, Unsui is the place for great food, style and elegance. Experience its first-hand and create a long-standing love affair with authentic Japanese cuisine.

Unsui Japanese Restaurant is located at the Century Park Hotel, 599 P. Ocampo St. Malate, Manila. It is open daily from 12:00nn to 2:00pm from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. For inquiries and reservations, call (02)528-5827/29.

A few of Sugarnot‘s bestsellers are The Ultimate Temptation, a truly tempting cake creation, and their version of the New York Cheesecake, which you can choose up to top with blueberries although it’s great all by itself. The heavenly eclair is another must-try. Sugarnot also has deli items such as pasta, sandwiches, soups, and much more, with only the healthiest ingredients used.

Healthy food doesn’t have to be dull and boring. It’s all about being open with the idea that sugarfree food can taste great. All they have to do is give it a shot. So go ahead, drop by Sugarnot and take a plunge into something that’s both extravagant and healthful.

Sugarnot Coffee Shop is located at the 5th floor of The Podium.
18 ADB Ave. Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Other branches in Makati, Quezon City, and SM Megamall.