Dining Out: Brazil Brazil

CHURRASCO!!!

Are you craving for something authentic? Well, Brazil Brazil is the place to be. Brazilian Barbecue gone unlimited. All you need to do is to make sure that the yo-yo on your table is turned over to show the green top. When the attendants see the green tab, it means they will continue serving your table the mouth-watering Brazilian Churrasco.

The barbecue ranges from meat, seafood and chicken. Together with this you can treat yourself to the buffet with a variety of main and side dishes. There is also a large array of deserts for your sweet tooth.

Brazil Brazil is located in Metrowalk along Ortigas Ave. in pasig City. The price per head is P750.00. If you are lucky and vigilant enough, you may stumble across sites like Ensogo Philippines for special deals on this great dining experience.

Check out their muchpunch site for more details: http://www.munchpunch.com/159/brazil-brazil-metrowalk.

A Day in Kuala Lumpur

There are so many places to visit in Malaysia and several things to do. When in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, here are some of the things that you can try fitting in a day, if you are really the adventurous one and have a lot of adrenalin in your reserves.

Destination 1: Skybridge at the Petronas Towers

5:00 AM - Rise and shine. I stayed in the MyHotel at Sentral, which was strategically located a few meters away from the KL Sentral. The KL Sentral is the focal point of all main mass transit rail system that will take you around Kuala Lumpur. Very accessible and very convenient.

KL Sentral

5:30 AM - Head off from the hotel, take a cab (since the KL Sentral only opens at 6:00AM) that will take you to the Petronas Towers (KLCC Station if you are taking the MRT). Before 6:00AM taxis charge double, it is not a legal thing but has become a practice among cab operators. They would charge you double from what the meters read. Or, they would overcharge you to get to your desired destination.

You need to be there at the Towers' Concourse Level as early as possible, because tickets to the Skybridge is free, on a first-come-first-serve basis. Bring a good book or something that will keep you entertained while you wait for the counters to open. The counter opens at 8:00AM. If you are a group, a representative can go in advance to queue up.

8:00AM - The counter opens. If you have followed my advice, you will certainly get your free tickets. The in-house guides/pages will ask you for your desired time to get on the Skybridge. If your group is there already with you and the immediate slot is available, then you can get in. The tour starts with a 10-minute 3-D documentary about the Petronas Towers. After this you will be taken to the Skybridge between the 41st and 42nd Floors. You will be boarding a high-speed elevator, which will take you to the 42nd floor in 42 seconds. You can look around and take pictures for seven minutes. After coming down from the Skybridge you can look around the exhibit hall and buy souvenirs.

View of Kuala Lumpur's business district from the Skybridge.

9:00AM - You may stroll around the vicinity of the KLCC, there are some authentic Malaysian Restaurants / Cafeterias that can nurture you for the rest of the morning's activities.

Destination 2: Batu Caves

10:00AM - Head off to the Batu Caves. It is a Hindu Temple in a cave. You may get a cab from the KLCC or you can take the MRT to the Batu Caves. If you will be taking the MRT, you will have to get off to a certain station then take a cab to Batu Caves. Ascend about 300 steps up to the caves.

A view from the steps of the Batu Caves.

After this, yo may wish to head back to the hotel. There are local restaurants and cafeterias nearby where you can taste the local dishes at a very affordable price. Rest for some time after lunch.

Destination 3: Masjid Jamek and China Town

4:00PM - From KL Sentral you can take the MRT to Masjid Jamek. Masjid Jamek is a historical place in Kuala Lumpur. It is a mosque situated in along the river where Kuala Lumpur was founded.

Masjid Jamek

After Masjid Jamek, you can stroll for about three blocks towards China Town. China Town is a spot where you can buy souvenirs and novelty items. China Town is also home to many hotels and hostels that cater to tourists.

For dinner, find your pick from the many stalls that make authentic Chinese soup. There are also stalls that make authentic satay.

Satay anyone?

Destination 4: KLCC Park

8:00PM - Dinner time is done. You can take a one hour stroll to KLCC. KLCC is the same complex where the Petronas Twin Towers is situated. I know you've been there in the morning, but you won't regret being back to get a glimpse of the Twin Towers all illumined for the night skyline.

In your walk, you will come across the KL Tower. If you have another day in the city, the KL Tower has a series of attractions that you might want to check together with the other wildlife reserves and parks in the area.

Once you reach KLCC Park enjoy the time taking pictures and the beautiful skyline.

If you wish to take public transport going to KLCC from China Town, you may take the MRT from Pasar Seni Station to KLCC.

Head back to the hotel safely after your day's adventure! :)

KL Tower

Petronas Twin Towers

Useful Sites:

• Hotel Bookings - http://www.agoda.com/
• KL Hotels - http://www.kl-hotels.com/my-hotel/
• Integrated Mass Transit Systems - http://www.myrapid.com.my/home
• Petronas Twin Towers - http://www.petronastwintowers.com.my/Pages/default.aspx.
• Kuala Lumpur Tower - http://www.kltower.com.my/index.cfm
• Resort's World Go Genting - http://www.rwgenting.com/

Dining Out: Kanin Club

If you happen to be in Metro Manila or in Sta. Rosa, Laguna you can bounce to Kanin Club. Their specialty is the Crispy Dinuguan and Kare-Kare. The other items in the menu are also great, the Sinigang na Bangus, Crispy Tadjang, Pad Thai and Seafood Kare-Kare. For desert, you can treat yourself to some Fried Halo-Halo.

The food menu may be a bit pricey but each penny is worth the great taste, service and ambiance once you are there.

It is a great place to dine and bond with the family. The ambiance of the restaurant is very welcoming with Filipino-Spanish inspired interiors and furnishings.

Pad Thai

Seafood Kare-Kare

Fried Halo-Halo

Kanin Club Branches:

• Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Laguna
• TechnoHub, Commonwealth Ave., QC
• Ayala Triangle, Makati City
• Westgate, Alabang

You may check out their facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kanin-Club/9931121198?sk=info

Dining Out: Bancehtto

Are you currently in the Metropolis of Manila? Is it late at night and you would like to have something for your sweet tooth? Are you craving for something zesty and authentic? Then you better try searching for the closest Banchetto you can find in your vicinity.

There are several to hundreds of vendors offering different delights. From taste-filled Filipino meals to internationally acclaimed pizzas and pastas. From simple desserts to mouth-watering cakes. From the usual barbecue to the specialties of different regions in the Philippines like the Ilocos empanada. Take your pick. You might find what your taste-buds might be looking for. If you are worried about the price, worry no more. Prices are affordable and reasonable.

Banchetto is Italian for feast. This is an overnight street food feast. It was originally intended to boost the local tourism of Ortigas, Pasig back in 2006. This started out in Emerald Ave., Ortigas from 12:00MN to 11:00AM of Saturday. What started out in Ortigas bloomed to other parts of the capital. There are now Banchetto events in Robinsons Forum-Mandaluyong, Libis, and SM Cubao. The event which started out in Emerald Avenue was later moved to the Megatent.

Schedule of Banchetto around Metropolitan Manila:

• Banchetto Libis - Tue, 6:00PM to 4:00AM (located in the Shopwise Compound)
• Banchetto Forum - Wed and Thu, 8:30PM to 6:00AM (located at the carpark next to Robinsons' Forum and behind Go Hotel)
• Banchetto Megatent - Fri, 8:00PM to 7:00AM (along Meralco Ave., between Renaissance Tower and the Department of Education)
• Banchetto SM Cubao - Sat and Sun, 6:00PM to 3:00AM (located at the 6th level Carpark of SM Cubao). This schedule will take effect in January 2012. Please refer to their website for the Christmas 2011 schedule.

You may get frequent updates about Banchetto from their site:

http://www.banchettomanila.com/.

Dining Out: Karate Kid Japanese Fast Food

Do you have a liking for Japanese food? Are you always on the go? Well look no further, because located in major malls is the Karate Kid restaurant. It is a Japanese fast food chain that offers meals for people in a hurry. Whether you are on a lunch break or strolling the mall with your loved ones, this place has something to offer you. You may choose from a wide array of meals and snacks.

Yakisoba

Chicken Teppanyaki

California Maki

Fried Chicken Tongkatsu

Beef Gyudon

Cheesecake

Aside from its taste-teasing flavors, you may avail unlimited rice and red iced tea. It also has a selection of deserts that you might want to try after a fulfilling meal.

Branches can be found across metro manila in SM malls and Walter Mart Makati. They offer promos such as the 99-Peso Blockbuster meals for those on a budget but would still like to have a filling share of the taste this place can offer.

The staff are courteous and friendly. The place gets really packed during lunchtime, definitely because of the people coming from offices to have lunch.

You may visit their website at http://www.karatekid.com.ph/.

(Establishment location: Philippines)