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10 Elements of a Good Deli Hangout Place

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Foodie people in the Fort are hanging out these days in this deli at the back of the Fairways Tower behind Joey Pepperoni Pizza. It is becoming popular because it has most of the elements of a good deli hangout place. Here are the 10 elements that a good deli place should have to be a successful:

1. A Signature Dish like Malcolm's Wagyu Burger (P400 +12% VAT +10% SC).

Malcolm's claim to fame in the foodie scene is that it serves different variations of Wagyu. Although the Wagyu burger looks good in this photo, we did not like it because even if it is soft, it lacks the malinamnam taste. The wagyu burgers are usually made from the excess wagyu pieces from the different cuts of wagyu meat. You might want to try the Wagyu salpicao instead.

(see related blog posts: Malcolm's Place and Wagyu Rib Eye Steak!)

The Original Lechon Bread?

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You might have seen a lot of Lechon breads lately and I'm still finding out if the Lechon bread of Antipolo is the original? You can buy the smallest one at P10 per piece and you can order bigger sizes on a per order basis.

Top 28 New 7 Wonders of Nature Candidates

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I'm anxiously waiting for the result of the Top 28 Official Finalist Candidates on July 21. I can't wait to see the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River as part of the Top 28! Here is the latest on the New 7 Wonders of Nature...

All voting is currently on hold, as the New7Wonders Panel of Experts is considering the TOP 77nominees from the second phase that ended on 7 July, from which they will advise on the choice of the 28 Official Finalist Candidates. On 21 July 2009 at 7 minutes past midday GMT, at the headquarters of New7Wonders in Zurich, the 28 Official Finalist Candidates will be announced, and on that day voting resumes in the Official New7Wonders of Nature, as chosen by over 1 billion votes and to be revealed in 2011. For press information click here.

The Little Mermaids of Manila Ocean Park

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We were pleasantly surprised to see the Little Mermaid Show at Manila Ocean Park. I'm now curious to know who these mermaids are? They made performing underwater with oxygen looks easy. They are always smiling throughout the show and they can last long underwater. The staff said that they are part of the RP swimming team... (Can anybody confirm this?)

The show starts with the individual performance of each of the mermaids and ends it with a synchronized swimming move. It is free for Oceanarium visitors and for every P150 receipt of food or non-food bought at any Manila Ocean Park Store.

Here is a photo essay of the Little Mermaid show experience...

Makansutra Disappointment...

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I was super excited to try Makansutra Asian Food Village at the 2nd Floor of Manila Ocean Park. Ever since our family's Singapore food trip (see: Singapore Makan Food Trip - My Top 10 Favorites! and Singapore Makan Food that did not make the cut), I was craving for authentic Makan cuisine here in Manila.

I had very high expectations because the food stall is owned and managed by KF Seetoh, the author and founder of the Singapore food bible - Makansutra. I must admit OAP was inspired by it.

I was disappointed. First, I failed to meet KF Seetoh (by a few days) and the Singapore Chefs when they opened Makansutra. Second, the food tasted like another Pinoy version of Makan dishes because of the all-Pinoy chef crew. None of the 38 pinoy crew "had ever been to nor eaten anything from Singapore and Malaysia."

Having said that, the Makansutra Asian Food Village is worth a try because 7 out of my Top 10 Makan Favorites are available and the hawker-style food court concept is something unique in Manila.