THE best time to shop is, no, not during the Christmas season when the malls are crowded and the traffic is terrible, but right after the festive but stressful holidays. In January. No more crowds. No more waiting in long lines to pay for your purchases. And if you are a professional chef, baker, foodie or cooking enthusiast, there is a new place for you to shop to your heart’s desire—Gourdo’s Glorietta.
Gourdo’s at Glorietta is not really new. It used to be a small, 26-square-meter home and kitchen store beside Food Choices at Glorietta 4. Although the compact store efficiently catered to its clientele, management deemed it better to move to a bigger space so it can widen the product lines that it carried and grow its market, as well. Last November 2019, the new Gourdo’s store in Glorietta opened its doors to the shopping public, and it is ten times bigger than the original store in the mall.
Shelves lined with cookware
Within the warm, French-inspired interiors, expect to find premium names in kitchenware, cookware and bakeware, such as Wilton, Wusthof, Microplane, Lodge, Ballarini, Swissmar, Libbey, Tovolo and Trudeau. Gourdo’s also has its own in-house labeled products, which proudly stand beside these highly respected brands.
For those who are setting up the house or garden for a casual or formal get-together, the store offers value-for-money options of dinnerware, cutlery, glassware and linens. For buffet setups, serving tools such as chafers, buffet plates, grazing boards and service sets are easily within reach. The merchandise is so wide and versatile that shoppers can also find fondue sets for cheese or chocolate fondue, paelleras, cazuelas and, yes, even ingredients for a Spanish spread.
Also available are tools for bartending, such as copper cocktail shakers and stemware. For coffee and tea lovers, there is a selection of accessories, coffee beans and tea brands, including Twinings, Tipson and Basilur.
Even baking ingredients are available in the store—Wilton fondant and food coloring, chocolates for pralines and truffles, colored dusting powder for sugar crafts, cookie and cupcake decorating. Local gourmet chocolates—Auro, Malagos, Manila Chocolatier, and Theo and Philo are well represented.
Having proven itself to be a reliable source for the best homeware from all over the world, Gourdo’s carries electric kitchen appliances under the labels Kitchen Aid, Oster, Kenwood, Vitamix, Braun, George Foreman, and Russel Hobbs.
“Our kitchen section is the most popular, but we also carry items for other parts of the home,” explains Susan San Miguel, general manager of Gourdo’s.
Get started on a new hobby with Gourdo’s terrarium bar
Over at the bed and bath corner, shoppers can find beddings, pillow in various shapes and sizes, towels, and bathroom accessories, plus a selection of soaps, sprays and candles. The terrarium bar likewise beckons with its row of succulents and stash of tiny shovels, pots, potting mix, pumice, rocks and pebbles.
The iLG Card is the key to endless rewards
For frequent Gourdo’s shoppers, the iloveGourdo’s (ILG) card is a must-have. For every Php300 purchase, the cardholder earns a point which has a value of Php1.00 and may be used in succeeding visits. Aside from providing access to a reward system, the card is also key to special discounts and exclusive privileges. There are two ways to get an ILG card: present a minimum single receipt purchase worth Php3,000 to get a card for free, or fill up an application form and pay Php150.
Good news for marrying couples: Gourdo’s has a gift registry. Simply sign up and draw up a wish list of items from the store that you want to receive from your guests on your wedding day. This way, your guests can pick a wedding present within their budget and be assured that they are giving you something that you really want or need. What’s more: They get to avail of a 10% discount on any purchase of regular priced items from the registry list. They can also take advantage of a three-month installment with 0% interest offer. Everything bought by your guests for you are entitled to free gift wrapping service, and Gourdo’s can make a one-time delivery of all gifts for the registrant as long as it is within Metro Manila.
Gourdo’s now has a total of 12 branches with two located at Alabang Town Center, and others in Uptown Mall and SM Aura in Taguig, Megamall and The Podium in Mandaluyong, The Promenade in San Juan; and Trinoma, UP Town Center, Gateway Mall, and Robinson’s Magnolia in Quezon City. Scheduled to open this 2020 are outlets in SM Fairview and Mall of Asia.
For more information, follow @gourdos on Facebook and Instagram, log on to www.gourdos.com or call the 24-hour customer care hotline at +632 8812 3022.
EXTEND the holidays just a wee bit more in your kitchen when you bake The Maya Kitchen’s Christmas Sugar Cookies. You can make some more to give away to family and friends. But if you’re a little uncomfortable making Christmas cookies after Christmas, you can actually change the shapes and icing designs of these sugar cookies and make them timeless. Or be early for Valentine’s and star making heart, Cupid and flower-themed sugar cookies. Use cookie cutters to do so, or make your own designs, create their cardboard patterns and use to cut your cookie dough before baking them.
For the cookies:
2-1/2 to 2-3/4 cups Maya All-Purpose Flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. clear vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 350˚F or 177˚C. Line two baking sheets with baking paper. Set aside.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
3. Cream together softened butter and confectioners’ sugar. Beat in egg and add desired flavoring. Add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Roll out dough on a floured surface and use cutters to create preferred shapes.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in preheated oven or until edges as slightly brown.
6. Let cookies cool down to room temperature before decorating with icing.
For the Royal icing:
2 egg whites
2 Tbsps. lemon juice
3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2-3 Tbsps. fresh milk
gel food coloring in preferred colors
1. Whisk egg whites and lemon juice using a mixer until soft peaks form.
2. Add confectioners’ sugar gradually and add 1 Tbsp. of milk at a time.
3. Mix until fluffy.
4. Divide into several bowls, mix in gel food coloring.
5. Decorate cooked cookies. Let icing set for a few hours to harden.
City of Dreams Manila’s Handcrafted Chocolate Santa and Snowman from Chocol8
PLANNING to book a hotel staycation with the family on New Year’s Eve? Having a real good dinner before attending New Year’s Eve Mass and then watching fireworks display safely from your room with a view? There is still time to do so.
Here are some suggestions for New Year’s Eve…
CITY OF DREAMS MANILA
Aside from a grand Christmas display that includes a towering 32-foot Christmas tree and glistening decors and installations to celebrate Christmas of Dreams, City of Dreams Manila offers decadent dining experiences and outstanding entertainment this entire Christmas season.
Crystal Dragon’s Baked Marinated Eel and Crispy Bean Curd; Steamed Squid Ink Abalone Dumpling; and Wok-fried Diced Turkey in Golden Cup with Brown Bean Sauce;
Over at Crystal Dragon, diners get to savor the exquisite flavors of Cantonese and other regional Chinese specialties with the restaurant’s Festive Seasons set menu for lunch and dinner. The bespoke menu, priced at Php2,580++ per person, includes Combination Happiness Platter (consisting of Wok-fried Diced Turkey in Golden Cup and Brown Bean Sauce, Baked Marinated Eel and Crispy Bean Curd, and Steamed Squid Ink Abalone Dumpling); Double-boiled Quail with Hauishan Yam and American Ginseng Soup; Steamed Cod fish with Black Garlic Sauce and Garden Greens; Marinated Rose Wine Pigeon with Wild Mushrooms; Braised E-fu Noodles with Chinese Cabbage, Mushrooms and King Prawn; and Chilled Rose Oolong Tea Jelly with Wintermelon.
Nobu Manila’s Sous-vide Tenderloin with Foie Gras and Creamy Cauliflower
A special eight-course Omakase meal await diners at the globally-renowned restaurant showcasing the culinary genius Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s new-style Japanese-Peruvian fusion artistry—Nobu Manila—priced at Php6,999++, available from December 29, 2019, to January 1, 2020, as Nobu Manila’s way of ushering in the brand-new year.
Red Ginger satisfies cravings for Southeast Asian flavors this season with five delectable dishes for its Festive Season menu: Crab and Prawn Rolls; Beef ‘Luc Lac’; Clay Pot Pork Knuckle; Ikan Goreng Berempah; and Ayam Kodok (Indonesian-style slow-roasted chicken).
Cafe Society’s English Fruit Cake
Cafe Society’s Gingerbread House
For decadent celebratory treats and gift ideas, Café Society is offering Puto Bumbong Bread, Christmas cookies, Fruit Cake, Panettone, and both traditional Christmas hampers and create-your-own holiday hampers.
Chocol8’s Premium Chocolate Hamper
Another Premium Chocolate Hamper from Chocol8
At The Garage’s Chocol8, temptingly delightful handcrafted chocolate Santa Claus confections and other playfully themed chocolate treats are available until December 31, 2019, only. So hurry if you want to have that cute pair of Chocolate Santa and Snowman.
If it is entertainment and performances you are after, on December 31, 2019, a New Year’s Eve Countdown with entertainment takes place at CenterPlay, starting at 3:00 p.m. It showcases flair bartending from the contemporary bar’s star bartenders and performances from bands Higher Ground, MUB and Part 3, who will jazz up the last day of the year with outstanding entertainment and live music leading up to midnight. Interested guests can reserve a seat or a table starting at Php3,000, which is inclusive of a glass of Veuve Cliquot Rose and consumable snacks.
Over at The Garage, a retro-themed New Year’s Eve party takes place until 2:00 a.m. with its Good Old Days promotion. There will be free-flowing drinks. Choose between the alcoholic package (Php2,58, which comes with draft beer, soda, wine, Champagne and other premium liquor; or the non-alcoholic package (Php1,88, which includes soda, iced tea, a selection of chilled juices or a glass of sparkling mocktail. Both packages include a platter of jalapeño poppers, seasoned buffalo fries, and fried crispy nori. For kids, a package worth Php1,288 comes with free-flowing iced tea, chilled juices, milk shake or a glass of sparkling mocktail, plus a platter of skin-on fries, mozzarella balls and corn dog.
Speaking of kids, DreamPlay, the world’s first DreamWorks-inspired play space, is staging its last weekend grand holiday parade on January 1, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. The parade features the well-loved DreamWorks characters joined by a magical retinue of animations of Christmas ornaments. The Electro Groovers, who are DreamPlay’s King Julien Dance Off Year 4 Grand Champions and who recently won gold at the World Supremacy Battle-Junior Division in Australia, will also take part in the parade.
Along with this fun, family-friendly attraction is a Trolls-themed holiday activity called Trolls Holla Day, happening until January 1, 2020. For Php1,499, the Trolls VIP Package activity ticket includes an all-day pass at DreamPlay’s attactions with express check-in and attraction entry; passes at Cooking with Gingy’s Holla Day activity and at DreamWorks’ Holla Day Movie; a photo session with Poppy and Branch; and other sweet treats such as special Christmas Trolls Tree cookies and a Trolls candy milkshake.
For inquiries, call 8800-8080.
DIAMOND HOTEL
Corniche’s holiday spread of international dishes
Yurakuen’s festive treats for this season
Reunite with loved ones, celebrate special moments and create new memories together this New Year’s. On December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2020, Diamond Hotel Philippines lets you indulge, drink and be merry with your fill of international dishes from the lunch and dinner buffets of Corniche, the authentic Japanese menu for groups of up to six persons at Yurakuen, classic recipes and heartwarming pastries accompanied by a glass of wine to go with each set menu at the Lobby Lounge, snazzy signature cocktails with tapas and pica-picas at Bar27.
Delightful dishes at the Lobby Lounge
Cocktails, tapas and pica-picas at Bar27
Purchase dining vouchers for all these festive holiday offers at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com and enjoy up to 30% exclusive discounts.
For inquiries, call (632) 8528-3000.
EASTWOOD RICHMONDE HOTEL
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel suggests booking a holiday stay or relishing a sumptuous feast at the hotel.
How about a stylish welcome to the new decade on December 31, 2019, by availing of the New Year’s Eve Room Packages at rates starting at Php9,100nett for a no-frills stay and Php11,600nett for a night of revelry with two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party and buffet brunch for two? And just in case you wish to stay a little longer to relax after the holidays, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel allows you to book a stay from January 1 to 7, 2020, and enjoy budget-friendly Extended Holiday Rates starting at Php3,750nett with breakfast buffet for two.
New Year’s Eve Countdown Cocktail Buffet
Barbecued Short Ribs
Better yet, join the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party happening at Eastwood Café+Bar and the hotel lobby from 10:30 p.m. o 1:30 a.m. on December 31, 2019. For Php1,550nett, revel in flowing drinks and a filling cocktail buffet that includes an extensive grazing table of international cheeses and cured meats, an abundant carving spread of leg ham, lechon Macao, barbecue turkey leg, Crispy Pata and barbecue ribs, seafood cocktail appetizers, salads, pizzas, paellas and tacos. Then dance the night away by jiving to all-time favorite retro music performed live by the Big Bash Band.
On the first day of 2020, enjoy a hearty New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet at the Grand Ballroom from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for Php1,250nett. Kids aged 5 and below get to eat free of charge while children aged 6 to 12 get 50% discount.
For inquiries and room bookings, call +632 8570-7777 or +63 917-5316867. For table reservations, call +63 917-8210333.
MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA
Superior Room at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Good news: Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Yuletide Home package is available until January 12, 2020, to allow guests to relish the season’s tidings with family and friends a little longer than usual.
For guests who plan to celebrate the turn of the year—and of the decade—at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on December 31, 2019, accommodations are available, starting at Php8,500 for a minimum stay of two nights.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Indoor Infinity Pool
The Yuletide Home offer includes complimentary buffet breakfast for two adults and up to two children younger than age 6. It also comes with complimentary high speed Internet access for the entire duration of their stay, as well as use of the hotel’s facilities, such as the indoor, temperature-controlled swimming pool and fitness center on Level 22.
For inquiries and reservations, call +632 7720-7777.
NEW WORLD MANILA BAY HOTEL
Usher in the New Year with a sparkling countdown party, dazzling room deals and exciting New Year feasts at New World Manila Bay Hotel.
Dance the night away at the Sparkling New Year Countdown Party happening at The Lounge on December 31, 2019. The New Year bash is expected to be a night full of surprises, gastronomic delights, overflowing drinks and entertainment featuring DJ Mia Fernandez. Tickets, which are priced at Php600 per person, are inclusive of three rounds of beverages with a variety of choices from a glass of sparkling wine to a bottle of beer or house pouring liquors.
new year celebration with champagne
The yearend leading up to the New Year is also the best time to enjoy a staycation with the family. Stay in one of the spacious rooms or suites for an extra dazzling celebration with the Countdown to 2020 room package, which starts at Php8,888 per night inclusive of buffet breakfast for two and 25% dining discount at Market Café. Another option is an overnight stay in a Premier Bay View Suites with a stunning view of the magnificent Manila Bay on New Year’s Eve, with rates starting at Php15,888 per night. The Suite and Sparkling room promo comes with a grand dinner buffet for two at Market Café, buffet breakfast for two, and 25% dining discount at Market Café.
For inquiries and reservations, call +632 8252-6888.
RICHMONDE HOTEL ORTIGAS
On New Year’s Eve, say hello to a new decade at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas with the rich, gourmet dishes at the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Buffet at the Richmonde Café and glitzy cocktails at the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at the hotel lobby.
New Year’s Eve Coutdown Party
The dinner buffet is priced at Php1,680 nett per person and features a charcuterie barrel with Edam, Padano, Gruyere, Smoked Gouda, Boursin and Brie cheeses, herb-crusted prime rib as carving, as well as several entrée, starter and dessert choices. The price already includes a choice between bottomless iced tea or a glass of red or white wine, fun party favors and musical entertainment.
Tickets to the countdown bash, priced at Php880 nett, includes three drinks, bar chow buffet, party favors, a glass of sparkling wine at the countdown, and live band performance.
To make it a total celebration, a New Year’s Eve Party Bundle of dinner buffet and countdown party ticket is available at a special discounted rate of Php2,065 nett.
A special breakfast buffet will also be served at the Richmonde Café on January 1, 2020, from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m., for Php950 nett per person.
Kids aged 6 to 12 get 50% discount while children aged 5 and below get to eat for free.
For inquiries and reservations, call (632) 8638-7777.
GOT extra all-purpose flour at home? Go creative and whip up some delightful Chocolate Fudge Orange Cupcakes? The Maya Kitchen shares this recipe of a hard-to-resist sweet giveaway using Maya All-Purpose Flour. Putting a refreshing fruity twist to your classic chocolate treat, these cupcakes are perfect not just for giving away to family and friends but also to serve and enjoy at home.
105 grams Maya All-Purpose Flour
210 grams brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
1 egg
110 grams mayonnaise
1 cup boiling coffee
90 grams quick-melt cacao, melted
1. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Make a hole in the center of the mound.
2. Add the egg, mayonnaise and boiling coffee in the center.
3. Fold in melted chocolate.
4. Line cupcake mold with paper cups.
5. Pour equal amounts of the mixture into 15 cupcake holes lined with paper cups.
6. Bake in a preheated 180˚F oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
For the chocolate ganache:
100 grams cream
75 grams unsweetened dark chocolate, cut into small pieces
125 grams dark semi-sweet chocolate, cut into small pieces
candied orange zest
1. Boil cream in a pot. Fold in chocolate pieces. Mix until smooth.
2. Scoop icing into a piping bag fitted with desired tip. Use to decorate each cupcake with a big rosette of fudge and garnish with candied orange zest.
THIS is definitely the high-tech age, where gadgets make different routine tasks so much easier to complete. Even cooking is a cinch with such “intelligent” kitchen appliances as Samsung’s Smart Oven. Designed as an all-in-one kitchen partner, the Smart Oven works as a convection oven and, at the same time, a microwave oven that can also be used for baking, grilling, slim frying, defrosting, steaming and, yes, even yogurt making.
The Smart Oven is so ‘smart’ that, should you decide to use it to prepare your holiday recipes, the daunting task can actually be, well, easy. So, how about making Baked Baby Back Ribs with Coleslaw for your Media Noche on New Year’s Eve?
1 kg. baby back ribs, cut into 3-rib portions
1 sachet Maggi Magic Sarap (8 grams)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pc. small onion, minced
1 pc. small red chili, sliced
1 cup water
2 Tbsps. soy sauce
2 Tbsps. tomato catsup
2 Tbsps. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. peanut butter
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
For the slaw:
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 tsp. fine salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup Nestle All-Purpose Cream
2 Tbsps. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1. Season ribs with Maggi Magic Sarap and pepper. Place, meat side down, on a deep baking pan.
2. Mix garlic, onion, chili, water, soy sauce, tomato catsup, sugar, and peanut butter. Pour into pan and mix well with pork.
3. Bake on high rack using Microwave + Grill Mode. Set aside.
4. For both MC32K and MC35J: Select Microwave + Grill. Set at 600W for 60 minutes. After 45 minutes, flip and continue to cook for the remaining 15 minutes.
5. Prepare slaw by mixing together cabbage, carrot, salt, pepper, Nestle All-Purpose Cream, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Mix well and refrigerate.
6. Brush pork with the reduced sauce, transfer onto a serving plate and garnish with parsley. Serve with cabbage slaw.
