Wild Night At Hooters

The night was young, an I am not about to let it slip by without having fun. My goal tonight: to try something absolutely new; my destination: the world famous Hooters Sports Bar & Grill which has just opened last year here in the Philippines.

Hooters Philippines

Hooters originated from America with over 455 branches spanning around the globe. The first Hooters restaurant opened up October 4, 1983 at Clearwater, Florida. It is one of the most successful restaurant chains in the world with it's concept fully intact since it's humble beginnings. The casual bench-theme establishment features "oldies" jukebox music, sports on television, and a menu that includes seafood, sandwiches, salads, and spicy chicken wings. What sets this establishment apart from any other restaurant is it's main attraction called "The Hooter Girls" which is socially accepted as a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, Sports Illustrated model, or a Radio City Rockette. The nearly-world famous Hooters Girls are the cornerstone of their concept- all American (and All-Filipina in our case here in the Philippines) who makes promotional and charitable appearances in their respective communities- not bad if I would say so myself. However, as time went by, several but small detailed changes were made to every Hooters restaurant  in the world.

The Hooters Bar

The Philippine branch, located at the the San Miguel by the Bay area of Mall Of Asia is no different from the rest of the Hooters branch worldwide. When I got to the place, I was cheerfully greeted by friendly and very attractive Hooters Girls wearing the same uniform that was established since it's first branch opened  on 1983- white tank top and orange shorts. Not only were the ladies friendly, but they are also very accommodating. The interior was very western; thus, giving any American expat a very homely feel. A bar was stationed on the left corner of the restaurant with a wide selection of drinks- from colas to wines, vodkas to cocktails; you name it they have it! Several momentos were placed on top of the wine shelves. I found jerseys signed by famous basketball and baseball players, some trophies, and a collectors item Manny Pacquiao boxing glove signed and sealed by Manny himself. 

Chuck Bass With Hooters Girl Layla

The food selection is great. Large appetizing burgers and seafood can be ordered for a cheap price of P500-P800 each. The servings were really big that two people can actually share! Drinks are not that expensive either. Their beers and wines range from P100-P350 depending on the mix or cocktail you ordered.

A personal touch was added to the delight of the customers as every now and then, the Hooters Girls performs a "dance number" either on top of the bar or by the side- ala Coyote Ugly. Since the Hooters girls were very approachable, you can actually have your picture taken with them!

Chuck Bass With Hooters Girl Jham

I chose to have my picture taken by three lovely Hooters Girls- Jhaynie (The bartender), Jham and Layla. The night was a complete success. Great food, great entertainment and I got to meet three lovely ladies in a span of just an hour! Where else can you find this kind of fun?!

Hooters is open from Sundays-Thursdays 11am-12am and Fridays-Saturdays 11am-2am. You can visit them at Building D Units 1-6 San Miguel by the Bay, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Chuck Bass With Hooters Girl Jhaynie

Christmas Ala Barcino

I have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the 5th branch of Barcino at Rockwell set to happen this December 2010. As a Christmas tradition, my family often serve wine during our yearly Christmas soiree and get together. Year after year, yours truly is in charge of scouting the metro for the finest wine to serve on our holiday feast.

I have been a consistent customer of Barcino ever since this tradition in our family began. While there are many wine shops in the metro today; like Ralphs, Cordon Bleu, Titania and Wine Direct Makati; my favorite wine store/restaurant would always be Barcino. 

Barcino At Greenbelt Makati

Barcino is actually spanish.It first started as a gourmet shop and bar in 2004 named Barcino Gourmet. offering one of the best gourmet foods in the metro partnered with fine selected wines, sundry cheese, fuet, and other spanish delicacies. In 2006, Barcino became a stable name in the high class market and was transformed into a classy tapas wine bar. This transformation was linked to the success and recognition from some of the European and American notable wine producers. The distribution also came to play an important role in hotels, restaurants and superb events happening in the Metro.

Most notable among it's trendiest branch was the one located in Ortigas. Soon after, branches at The Fort and Greenbelt 5 were born. Contrary to many people's opinion. Barcino is not that expensive. With it's success in the restaurant and wine industry, Barcino continued to expand and with it's key to success in providing tasteful wine selections at affordable prices, thus carrying it's motto “tasteful wine for every budget”. Hence, Barcino broke the stereotype that wine is a product solely for the rich and famous people with high purchasing power. Now, thanks to Barcino, everyone could enjoy a healthy and tasteful wine anytime anywhere.

Baigorri Rosado

Barcino boasts a wide selection of the finest wines from red and white wines, to sparkling ciders and even rose and sherry wines. Last year, we purchased one of it's bestsellers- the Baigorri Rosado. For just P995, we were able to enjoy this rose wine with fruity aromas of banana, pear and pineapple. Baigorri Rosado has a silk texture that bursts with flavor on your sip. It goes very well with just about anything on your Christmas feast- from hams to salads, enchiladas, and specially spicy food. This was one of the best wines I've ever tasted and when I purchased the bottle last year for our Noche Buena, I knew I made the right choice with this.

Lan Rioja Crianza

This year, we are planning to get the Lan Rioja Crianza- a brilliant red wine with flavors of cherry and violet hues. It's a french wine stored in oak barrels for 12 months for the ageing process. It has an elegant aroma with hints of fruit. What I like about this wine is that it has a sweet taste despite of it's 13% alcohol content. The Lan Rioja Crianza is simply perfect as wine served in a glass. It costs only P1,300 and is this year's Barcino best seller! Not bad for a french wine that's truly fine on the palate.

Barcino's Magic Wine Boxes

For wine collectors out there, Barcino has also launched it's Magic Wine Boxes for this year's holiday season. Very cheap and fine delectable wines up for grabs only at Barcino. 

My dad's choice is the "Lustful Caress" collection: Finca Resalso Emilio Moro, Elsa Malbec, Baigorri Rose, Caliza, Solaguen Reserva and Viñas del Vero Gewurztraminer for P7,800.

My choice would be the "Diamond Collection" with the most elegant selection of fine wines in the Metro: Mather Teresina, Beronia III A.C., Malleolus de Valderramiro, Peñafiel Vendimia Saleccionada, Finca Resalso and Borsao Bole for only P23,135. I know it costs a lot; but for me there's just no substitute when it comes to fine wine- not even the price.

I'm pretty excited with Barcino's opening at Rockwell this month. For the past 2 years, I have been purchasing our holiday wines at their Greenbelt branch. I think it would be a nice change to visit a new branch- specially with very nice interiors like the ones on the inset:

Interior Of Barcino Rockwell

This coming Christmas will definitely be new and exciting. There's so much to celebrate for and lots of fine wine to go around. Shopping for this year will absolutely be wonderful. I can't wait to get my plans rolling for our holiday feast! How about you- what are you planning to serve for Christmas this year?

Appreciating The Best At Yats

The month of December is one of the finest seasons in my life. Attending the best parties in the metro and getting exclusive invites to the most exclusive parties has opened my life to lots of new experiences and widened my social connection. What can I say; it's all part of my job as a socialite. And I know that as time goes on, the best is yet to come. Last December 11, 2010 Saturday, after attending a Christmas party in Alabang Hills I headed off to a Wine Tasting Event with one of my friends at Yats Wine Cellar in Makati. Unlike Yat's previous wine tasting event, this one is not open for public tasting. A very private event took place with exclusive invites and RSVP sent out to a handful (about 25) people comprising of wine enthusiasts, socialites and wine commentators. My friend who was among the wine enthusiasts invited has extended his invitation to me so I can meet some very important people in the wine industry and handle their upcoming events.

Yats Wine Cellar

Wines Presented During The Event

It was not my first time to go to a wine tasting event- but this one is definitely different. Almost a hundred of the best wines in the world were served and only a handful of people were present in this occasion. What sets Yats apart from the many wine tasting events I've been to is that there are no sponsors for this event; that means the guests are never flaunted to pushy wine salesmen and there were no boring sales pitches. You can just simply make your selection and taste it as you make small talks with other guests.

I've learned a thing or two with several wine enthusiasts I've spoken to during the entire event. As a follow up to the last wine appreciation event Yats held last June 04, 2010, several new and expensive wines were imported from different countries all over the world. Aside from the five red wine varieties namely Barbera, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir and Zifandel  that were unveiled last June, there were 4 more age old wines presented that night.

My first glass was the Perception 2007 Zifandel from Sonoma County. Released year 2007, it is amongst the best selling and best tasting wines in the metro. The aroma of cherry cola and blackberry was very evident with this wine. My first sip of this wine and I thought that it really tasted good- tarty but sweet and fruity. It almost tasted like black licorice and bramble but of course more sophisticated.

Since it was one of the featured wines of the event, I decided to taste the Melka 2008 CJ Cabernet Sauvignon as well. It tastes like ripe blueberry and black currant. There's like a ton of different berry flavors in it. The texture almost caramel-like and the flavor just bursts in your mouth as you sip. I completely fell in love with this the moment my lips touched the wine. I haven't tasted any wine as good as this and for that night I decided this was the best wine in the selection.

What is a wine tasting event without a bubbly? I definitely had to try one- and I chose the Torre Oria Cava Brut Sparkling Wine. It's not as strong as the other wines (because it's a sparkling wine- a bubbly) but definitely good and flavorful. Aromas of lemon and green apple gave this bubbly a citrus flavor that best partnered with regular all day foods like pizzas, spicy tapas, or even scrambled eggs! One of the wine enthusiasts I spoke to told me that this bubbly is best during breakfast! For some it may be served on a breakfast brunch- but for me this one's hefty on a Sunday night soiree.

Last but definitely not the least amongst the wines I've tasted is called the Franciscan Estates 2007 Chardonnay Cuvee Sauvage. Boasting with the sweet aromas of pear, honey, toast and marshmallow, this chardonnay is perfect with sea food. There is a bit of citrus acidity that comes with every sip and the faint finish is just excellent in texture.

Yats Wine Tasting Event

There are several more wines served for selection and I just simply love almost all of them. I can't really call myself an expert when it comes to wine tasting but this experience has definitely taught me a lot when it comes to appreciating the best wines the world can offer.

The evening ended a little late than usual but was ultimately a success. As this year closes, I'm sure that the wine producing industry all around the world will continue to flourish- with wines that taste as good as these, the business will definitely bloom at it's age!

Appreciating the best that life can offer,

XoXo