Friday, January 31, 2014

[CLOSED] The Food Club Manila + Giveaway!

Eat all you can buffets are so popular nowadays! The question is, which one to try? Well, I'm here to introduce to you the newest kid on the block: The Food Club, which is currently on its soft opening.


The Food Club is the most anticipated buffet restaurant for 2014. No need to go to expensive hotels just to experience the 5 star buffet dining, as The Food Club offers a wide selection of international cuisine.


The interiors of this buffet restaurant look really classy. The place can seat a lot of guests without the "too crowded" feeling.


Check out these comfy couch seats, perfect for smaller parties!


I'm also loving the chandeliers they've set up all over the restaurant. The overall feel is quite posh.

Now on to my favorite part, which is the food! ♥ I wasn't able to take pictures of EVERYTHING, but aside from what you'll see here, there's even more food waiting for you at the buffet table.


They have shrimp rolls that would go so well with their salads.


Fresh salads are here for the health conscious.


With a wide variety of dressings and toppings, my favorite being the fruit salad (with the grapes, honeydew melons, and sweet pineapple chunks).


They also have a wide variety of bread and spreads.


And different cheeses to go with it!


I was at awe with this big sushi boat! YUMMY! Everything tasted fresh and delightful.


There's also sashimi - fresh raw salmon and tuna slices. Too bad I don't eat raw food, but these seemed popular with the guests.


See the giant fish on display (beneath the ice). Here you'll see lobsters, crabs, clams, oysters and prawns. (Tip: You may ask them to bake the seafood with butter or cheese!)


A favorite of mine would be tempura. Always the tempura! Once the server sets the tempura on the buffet table spread, it's almost always gone in minutes. (Not entirely my fault. Haha!)


They also have a variety of Asian cuisine, which all look like Chinese food to me! I wasn't able to take photos, but they also serve dimsum.


Different types of pastas are available, and you can request them to cook it with your preferred (red or white) sauce.


They also have freshly-baked thin-crust pizzas!


My love for sweets has led me to hang out and linger by the desserts section. I am in love with this white chocolate fountain. They have different sweets you can use to dip into the fountain such as brownies, Oreo cookies, Stick-Os, and mallows, but my favorite are the fresh strawberry pieces.


The marshmallow bouquet and chocolate eclairs (with sprinkles!) are attractive to the kids (and kids at heart).


This one's really good - it's like a coffee cream dessert and it's not too sweet.


They also have cute creamy puddings in coffee, strawberry, and mango inside shot glasses (though these are a bit too sweet for my liking). I like the fruits in gelatin dessert more.


Meringues: Light, crisp, airy, and so sweet! ♥


They also have a wide variety of cake slices. Try them all!


Fans of Filipino desserts can rejoice since The Food Club has a wide range of kakanin (sticky rice cakes) and halo-halo ingredients.


They have fresh fruit slices as well. Aside from the fresh honeydew melons, pineapples, papayas, and watermelons, anyone care for some exotic dragonfruit?


They also have a crepe station with different toppings and syrups (mango, strawberry, chocolate, caramel, and raspberry) to go with it.


Of course, you can opt to stuff your crepe with lots of fresh fruits in it.


And even top if off with some Big Scoop ice cream. I spy Avocado and Bubblegum flavors!


This one is a delight for the kids - candies! Lots and lots of gummy candies for everyone.

While other buffets charge drinks separately, here in The Food Club you won't have that problem.


You can try drinks like iced tea, four seasons, mango, pinaepple and orange juice.


If you're more of a soda person, all is also well.


But my favorite drink of them all would have to be the Dilmah tea bags from Sri Lanka. Gosh, I want to have a tea caddy like this at home please! Tea all you can!


Fun fact: Kids 3.5 ft. and below get to eat for FREE! The Food Club has solved the problem for picky eating kids (like me haha) with their different sets from the Kid's Menu.


I know for a fact that I can't consume the actual almost P1k worth of food. My bad habit of takaw-tingin makes me feel full when I see LOTS of food all at the same time! So what I do to make up for that is to just enjoy the experience and eat a lot of shrimp. Hahaha!

Here's what I had for dinner:


I think it's only during buffets that I willingly subject myself to fresh, leafy greens. Haha! I enjoyed this serving of salad with sweet fruits. I also got to try the garlic bread and some cheese slices.


Now this is my favorite part! People usually don't eat rice during buffets, but I can't. I love rice and I don't feel full unless I've had some. (It's a psychological thing, I know!) Then I filled my plate with tempura (yummy yummy tempura) and some more shrimp. Then a bit sushi behind it all.


I was also able to try a slice of pizza (which I forgot to take a picture of) and this pasta. Ugh, all you see from what I ate are carbs. I'm not a very adventurous eater, but next time I will try the lobsters and oysters for sure.


The desserts look fancier because they come in cups. My favorite is the coffee cream one (with the whipped cream on top). I'm not sure if it's considered as a panna cotta, but it's really really good! You can skip the shot glass desserts - it tasted sugary and artificial so I wasn't able to finish it.


For the night, I drank four seasons and some water, but my favorite will always be the hot tea. The one I got that night is the Dilmah Blueberry Tea (which is simply black tea flavored with blueberries, hence I couldn't sleep that night). It smelled so good! (Next time, I'm planning to try another flavor and attempt to make some milk tea. See, I already have plans!)


I had a great time at The Food Club. That night I got to bond with fellow bloggers Gretchen, Roch Kirstin, Justin, Hana, Rochelle, and Gen-zel. 


The Food Club: Your Lifestyle Buffet
Unit E Bluebaywalk, President Diosdado Macapagal corner Edsa, Pasay City, Philippines

For reservations:
  • (02) 736 8001
  • info@thefoodclub.com.ph

Rates:
Mondays-Thursdays:
  • Lunch - P800.00 + 5% service charge
  • Dinner - P1,000.00 + 5% service charge
  • Kids above 3.5 ft. - P580.00 + 5% service charge
  • Kids 3.5 ft. and below - FREE
Fridays-Sundays:
  • Lunch / Dinner - P1,188.00 + 5% service charge
  • Kids above 3.5 ft. - P600.00 + 5% service charge
  • Kids 3.5 ft. and below - FREE

Because I want my readers to experience 5 star dining at The Food Club, I'm giving away a FREE Buffet Dinner for 2!

UPDATE: On the "Tweet about the Giveaway" part of the mechanics, please tweet this instead and remember to still tag 2 friends:


@helenblas is giving away FREE Buffet Dinner for 2 at @thefoodclubph! @Friend1 @Friend2 http://luckycitrine.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-food-club-manila-giveaway.html


Guidelines:
  1. Giveaway is from January 31, 2014 to February 15, 2014.
  2. Giveaway is open to everyone, as long as you can go to The Food Club to claim your FREE buffet dinner for 2. 
  3. The mechanics you see at the Rafflecopter widget are all mandatory. (Hey, the prize is worth it!)
  4. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. (Yes, I will check.)
  5. Winner will be randomly picked by Rafflecopter.
  6. Winner will be announced via blog and Facebook post, and will have to e-mail me at helenblas(at)yahoo(dot)com within 7 days from date of announcement, or else prize will be forfeited in favor of the new winner.

Good luck! Happy Chinese New Year! :)

Love,
Helen

Thursday, January 30, 2014

New Year, New You with Clinique (Makeup Tutorial Session at Trinoma)

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year! I got the chance to leave work earlier than usual, all giddy and excited for my makeup tutorial session at Clinique Trinoma.

Clinique Trinoma

I arrived about an hour earlier than my appointment schedule and was entertained by Blue, Clinique's Makeup Artist. He asked me what look I wanted to learn, and I told him that I'm struggling with eye makeup application. He then decided to teach me a natural makeup look I could wear everyday.

Products used:


Since I came from work, I already had makeup on so Blue just refreshed my base using a powder foundation before applying the rest of the products.

Clinique Even Better Powder Makeup in Neutral

I love how silky this powder foundation felt on my skin. I know I shouldn't be touching my face, but I couldn't help it! It made my face feel really smooth (and look perfect at the same time).

Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Like Mink

For everyday makeup, it's all about the natural look. This palette is perfect for when I want to add depth to my chinita eyes.


Today, I learned how to contour my eyes using these 2 shades, and I can't wait to recreate the look on my own.

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense in Intense Black

Pencil liners are a convenient way to add instant drama to the eyes.


My favorite part was when Blue flicked the eyeliner upwards (on the outer corner of my eyes). It made my sad eyes look happier with the added lift.

Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Cupid

I love the dusty rose shade of this blush. The shade is definitely pretty and it has a good color payoff.

FOTD:


I'm so happy with today's makeup lesson! I like the makeup - clean and natural.

Blue & I

After the makeup tutorial session, I also got to pick a prize! You either get a full-sized product or samples.

(Left to Right)
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Clarifying Moisture Lotion, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel Sachet Set
Derma White City Block Anti-Pollution SPF 40/PA+++
7 Day Scrub Cream
Derma White Bright C Stick Make Up SPF15 in 02 Rose Beige

I was told that this wasn't the grand prize yet, but the stick foundation is already in full-size. :D


I'll admit that I do get intimidated by the brand since almost everything here is expensive, but the Clinique consultants at Trinoma are really nice and accommodating.


Today is your last chance to book a session with a Clinique consultant! Book now by calling our counters!
• Book for a complimentary makeup tutorial session with our Clinique consultants.
• Visit Clinique during your booked appointment and pick a prize after your session.
• Each store will have two lucky winners of regular sized products. Non-winner will receive sample sized products.

Rustans Makati +632 894 3521
Rustans Shangri-la +632 633 4636
Rustans Alabang +632 850 5532
Rustans Gateway +632 912 9959
Rustans Cebu +6332 231 5633
Clinique Trinoma +632 623 4725
Essenses Rockwell +632 890 6273
Clinique Mall of Asia +632 551 2582
SM Aura Premier +632 703 0363

If you're not too busy tomorrow, you might want to book a makeup tutorial appointment at your nearest Clinique counter. This is their treat for everyone this Chinese New Year!

Love,
Helen
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