Anne Curtis joins the PICKUP COFFEE family, Don Papa Rum unveils the new Sampinit Sour Cocktail and more
February has just begun, but we’re already gushing over date-worthy releases to share with a SO—from Don Papa Rum’s special cocktail you can craft at home to Pickup Coffee favorites that won’t break the bank.
Keep coming back for more date-friendly ideas with this month’s edition of Wonder Treats.
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Nespresso Vertuo
Enjoy café-style coffee at home
We don’t know about you, but for us, coffee is best enjoyed first thing in the morning in the comfort of your own home. Nespresso has always been a go-to for great coffee but the their newest range takes us to the café, at home.
Here’s what we mean: Nespresso recently introduced its Vertuo line of machines and coffee capsules, and it steps up coffee at home, café-style. At the event, the brand’s Coffee Ambassador JR Abril walked guests through the new array of flavors, brewing styles, and cup sizes. Abril also showed guests Vertuo’s one-touch system that automatically recognizes different capsules and sets the appropriate brewing parameters, as well as Nespresso’s patented Centrifusion technology. Such technology allows coffee lovers to get more out of every pod, giving you a cup brimming with aroma, flavor and a thick cream. If that’s not a strong indicator of quality coffee, we don’t what is.
Satisfy the hungry beast within with Burger Beast by Chef Carlo Miguel
Sink your teeth into soft, flavorful sandwiches
In 2020, celebrity Chef Carlo Miguel relaunched Burger Beast under Cloud Eats, offering gourmet burgers for as low as P199. Since then, over 200,000 people have sunk their teeth into unique flavor combinations and tender patties. Enjoy classics like Burger Beast’s Deluxe Cheese Burger or innovative options like the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of the Truffle Burger or the best-selling Crispy Chicken Sandwich. Then, pair the delectable dishes with a serving of Onion Rings dipped in their Homemade Beast Ketchup. The best thing about Burger Beast is that it’s open 24/7 to satisfy your cravings.
But if you want to try the Umami Burger’s combination of sharp yellow cheddar, caramelized onions and special homemade sauce by Chef Carlo Miguel himself, you can get it fresh off the grill. Drop by the Burger Beast Pop-Up at the Capitol Commons Park, open from 11AM to 11PM on Sundays to Thursdays, and 11AM to 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Not a major fan of meat? Burger Beast also has Quorn-powered offerings. Get these dishes at 10% off on Meatless Mondays. Check out the Quorn exclusives and the full Burger Beast menu below:
Order from Burger Beast via GrabFood, Foodpanda or the official Burger Beast website.
Learnings From the Quaker Oats Health Check Caravan
Look out for each other's gut health
If you plan to commit to a more balanced diet this 2023, Quaker offers a more nutritious, affordable and convenient alternative ingredient: oats. With seven times more fiber than regular long-grain rice, oats can help manage blood cholesterol levels, aid digestion and sustain energy throughout the day. Last February 5, lucky guests at the Quaker Oats Health Check Caravan discovered exciting oat recipes. A guest panel of nutritionists from the Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dietitians, Inc. also kept the guests in the know on gut health and all things oats. But, hey, the fun also doubled as celebrity guests Solenn Heussaff, Erwan Heussaff, Dimples Romana, Mikaela Martinez, Kelly Misa, Vanessa Matsunaga and Marie Lozano kept the crowd entertained as everyone learned more about Quaker Oats.
Up ahead, we list down a couple of learnings we can pass on to you:
- Keep your blood cholesterol in check and promote better heart health. Oats come with beta-glucan fiber, a clinically proven component to reduce total and bad cholesterol levels for better heart health.
- Time to spotlight gut and digestive health. With seven times more fiber than regular long grain white rice, Quaker Oats will help digestion. Experts recommend having at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily to keep your gut moving smoothly.
- Get moving and stay energized. A bowl of cooked Quaker Oats can last long enough to power through workouts, offering energy your body will slowly absorb. Plus, it’s a great source of thiamin, phosphorus and magnesium. For people on the go, bite-sized servings will definitely keep that energy up.
- Great bonding moments with family. Indulge the entire fam with excellent home-cooked meals incorporating healthier ingredients, such as oats, for sweet and savory dishes for all preferences.
Who says you need the New Year to transform your health habits? Enjoy the rest of 2023 with Quaker Oats as early as now by getting seven times more fiber for a better and healthier you. Discover these amazing oat recipes at https://www.quakeroats.ph/.
Anne Curtis Joins The PICKUP COFFEE Fam
The ultimate celebrity who embodies “feel good”
To celebrate almost a year of making specialty coffee accessible to all, PICKUP COFFEE unveils the brand’s first endorser: Anne Curtis. As the ultimate celebrity who embodies “feel good,” it was both an instant yes for both parties. Now that the young mother is going back to working out as she plans to do a marathon very soon, taking care of her daughter Dahlia Amélie at the same time, all while committing to her beauty brand BLK Cosmetics and more, sometimes she can drink five cups of coffee in a day.
“Being part of the PICKUP COFFEE family definitely picked up my year,” shares Anne in a Thanksgiving Luncheon at Txoko Asador in Makati last January 31.
Want to know Anne’s pick-me-up drink? It’s a KAPE KASTILLA, but what she likens most to her personality is an Iced Carmel. She explains, “It’s very straightforward with a touch of sweetness.”
PICKUP’s first year was one for the books—and their journey has only just begun.
RELATED: Treat Yourself Every Day with PICKUP COFFEE
Journey through Sugarlandia with Don Papa Rum
Bacolod-inspired dishes blended with Indian flavors
Don Papa Rum commemorated 10 years in the market with a special four-hands dinner with friends and family at XCEPTION in Makati, celebrating the wonderful world of Sugarlandia. Cyrus Todiwala of Café Spice Namaste and Patrick Go of Your Local collaborated on a three-course menu—highlighting the Tuna Loin Kilawin, Sugarlandia Surf and Turf and the Coconut and Banana Pancake—blending Bacolod flavors and Indian cuisine.
In an exclusive interview with Wonder, Chef Patrick, who hails from Bacolod, reveals the creative process behind the special menu: “I asked [Chef Cyrus] to give us his ingredients, whatever he liked, and then we incorporated our Bacolod ingredients…the kilawin, we added some batwan, calamansi and inasal with his homemade masala from his restaurant.”
He adds, “Basically, we just blended the Bacolod flavors with his Indian roots, which turned out perfect.”
The special event debuted an exclusive Don Papa cocktail, called the Sampinit Sour, created by the brand’s Manila-based Cocktail Maestro, Aaron Goodall. When we think of Philippine fruits, we often think of mangoes, calamansi, coconuts and other tropical fruits. But a lesser-known seasonal berry is also found here: the sampinit, a Philippine wild raspberry. The Sampinit Sour highlights a flavor not often thought of when thinking about the Philippines, and together with Don Papa Rum creates a refreshingly crisp cocktail, perfect for a summer’s eve.
Shake Shack’s Hot Honey Chicken menu
Satisfy your sweet and spicy cravings
For chicken burger enthusiasts, Shake Shack unveils the limited-edition Hot Honey menu that satisfy every sweet and spicy craving. Available until the end of the month, get hooked on this exclusive menu, which spotlights the juicy Hot Honey Chicken—a crispy, flavorful, honey-glazed 100% natural cage-free chicken thigh smothered in hot honey sauce and topped with a tangy green apple cabbage slaw. Pair it with the Hot Honey Bites—made with whole white meat chicken, crisp-fried—served with a side of gooey hot honey sauce. Packed with a crunch and hot candied flavor, you’ll find yourself satisfied yet craving more!
Complete your meal with a refreshing beverage, the Manila exclusive, the Calamansi Limeade, Shack-made lemonade blended with calamansi; or get malty with a cold glass of ShackMeister Ale, straight from the Shack tap!
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Pocky Love Exclusives
Specially curated Pocky bouquets and wine sets
Pocky, Mitsukoshi FRESH, FlowerStore.ph and Estate Wine are joining forces to help you express your love in new and creative ways this Valentine’s Day.
Pocky Love offers bundles exclusively available at Mitsukoshi BGC, where you can choose from eight unique Pocky bouquets. And if you’re feeling a little extra, a fully customizable bouquet is also an option! These are accompanied by beautiful flowers from FlowerStore.ph and delicately curated Rosé and white wine sets from Estate Wine. Bubbly, Moscato and Bordeaux are also available at their booth. With a Pocky gift bundle purchase of at least P500, you and your SO can commemorate the special event with a complementary photo at the Pocky Love studio!
Don’t have time to drop by? Not a problem—seven other Pocky bouquets are available online through FlowerStore.ph, with prices ranging from P699 to P1,599. Head over to Mitsukoshi BGC or FlowerStore.ph from February 1 to 14!
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Krispy Kreme x Hershey’s Valentine’s Collection
Special treats glazed with love
You can never go wrong with donuts and chocolates! Krispy Kreme and Hershey’s present a sweet collaboration in time for V-day.
Express the three special words with three flavors! The Strawberry Kiss has Hershey’s strawberry chocolate as its filling, with pink and red chocolate and Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate completing its look. Hershey’s salted caramel explodes in every bite of the Salted Caramel Filled Rose, which is dipped in dark chocolate, adorned with a rose (no thorns!) made of icing and a drizzle of dulce de leche. Finally, there’s no room for mixed feelings with the Mixed Berry Love—dipped in red chocolate and strawberry, topped with heart sprinkles and a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar. It has Hershey’s Mixed Berries Chocolate inside, too! Did we mention all three flavors come in heart-shaped donuts?
The Krispy Kreme and Hershey’s Valentine’s Collection starts at P65 per piece and P550 per dozen. It’s available from February 3 to 17 only, so be sure to visit your nearest Krispy Kreme stores then!
You can have Krispy Kreme delivered by calling 888-79000 or by ordering through now.krispykreme.com.ph, GrabFood, Foodpanda, Pick.a.Roo, Mangan, OrderMo and Groover. May it be for yourself, your partner, your friends or your loved ones, this collection is a safe bet to brighten up Valentine’s Day.
McDonald’s brings back Fish & Fries
The tastiest catch!
Get ready to ride the tide of seafood cravings anytime and anywhere, because the McDonald’s Fish & Fries are back!
For a limited time, you can have a bite of the ever-tasty McDonald’s fish fillet—still coated in its classic crunchy, golden batter. The returning dish comes with your choice of Tartar Sauce or Thousand Island Sauce. Accompany these with the favorite World Famous Fries, and you’ll surely keep reaching for more. If you’re looking for something heavier and fuller, have a Fish & Rice Meal instead! Either way, you have the option to get one piece or two pieces of fish. And if you can’t decide on a drink, Lipton iced tea is our best bet.
Order yours now at your nearest Mcdonald’s branch via Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru and McDelivery!
There’s definitely more where that came from! Keep your eyes here for more Wonder Treats for the month of February.
Photos Don Papa Rum, Shake Shack Philippines and Magic Liwanag via Quaker Oats Philippines
Art Macky Arquilla
