Author Archives: sheg4184

Villa Escudero

Posted on 13 January 2015 by sheg4184

It was our daughter’s birthday last week, and with our men folk off about their own business, we decided a Mother/Daughter road trip might be fun. We packed the car and headed south for her favourite spot: Stilts, in Calatagan, … Continue reading →

Posted in Philippines, Travel | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Villa Escudero

Hiding Out at The Henry

Posted on 4 January 2015 by sheg4184

The behemoth that is December in the Philippines had descended on Makati like a tidal wave. Cars rolled doggedly down EDSA and Ayala Avenue, bumper-to-tailgate, like an insuperable lava flow. Every shopping mall was seething with excited shoppers walking four … Continue reading →

Posted in Philippines, Travel | Comments Off on Hiding Out at The Henry

A Manila Christmas Carol

Posted on 31 December 2014 by sheg4184

                Lechon roasting on an open fire, Parum-papum-pum, spinning slowly over glowing coals until glossy copper skin snaps and cracks like toffee, promising juicy, fragrant flesh beneath. The traffic churns, thick and smoky … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Manila Christmas Carol

Tea & Tranquility

Posted on 28 December 2014 by sheg4184

“When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things.”   ~  Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog. It is almost Christmas and the streets and shopping malls of Makati … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Wine, Lifestyle, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Tea & Tranquility

Flirting with Chocolate

Posted on 13 December 2014 by sheg4184

 “All you need is love. but a little chocolate now and again doesn’t hurt”  – Charles M. Schulz A coquettish breeze. Turquoise skies smudged with wispy clouds. A broad deck overlooking bare, craggy hills and milky blue bays, sailboats, sunshine … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Wine, New Zealand | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Flirting with Chocolate

Amuse Bouche

Posted on 9 December 2014 by sheg4184

‘New Zealand’ suggests sheep and hobbits and rugby. It whispers of kiwis – birds and fruit – and an on-going feud with Australia as to who invented the pavlova. It rumbles about earthquakes and volcanoes.  It mumbles Sauvignon Blanc and … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Posted on 30 November 2014 by sheg4184

Black Sheep is the newest Single-Malt-Whisky-Bar-and-Modern-Gastronomy-Restaurant in town. Try saying that after a couple of drinks! Situated in the penthouse atop that eye-catching black, white and blue checkered building West Fifth in Bonifacio Global City, the kitchen is in the capable … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Baa Baa Black Sheep

Just Sushi

Posted on 26 November 2014 by sheg4184

As I may have mentioned, I recently made my first trip to Japan, landing in Tokyo with a clean slate, eager for new impressions. I must admit, I knew embarrassingly little about the country at that point, and I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Wine, Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Just Sushi

Umami: The Fifth Taste

Posted on 19 November 2014 by sheg4184

Salt, sweet, sour, bitter. I am assuming we have known about these four taste categories since Sesame Street was a dirt track through the woods. Each one tells our taste buds about what we are putting in our mouths, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Wine, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Umami: The Fifth Taste