Katsu of all Katsus

One of the best parts about traveling around the world and coming home to Manila is that you can pretty much buy a grocery list of local ingredients and take them home for a global home cooked dinner.

Cities around Asia have some of the finest gourmet groceries with local and European ingredients. And in every trip, groceries and markets are my museums.

During a recent trip to Hong Kong, City Super in IFC had some irresistible Spanish and Japanese meats. Spanish Iberico pork and Japanese A5 Wagyu cuts. Thanks to their packing, we were able to take home Spanish Iberico pork chops.

Spanish Iberico pork chops come from the spine of the pig and usually contain a bone. They are juicy and rich in taste. Combined with my dad's awesome katsu recipe and frying... Every bite was euphoric.

To balance the pork katsu, we also fried sweet potatoes, mushrooms, onions, eggplants, broccoli, and bell peppers. One of the best home cooked dinners of the year. After this meal, we hurried back to Hong Kong and took home more Iberico pork chops. I can't wait for the next katsu dinner!

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Katsu at Home

Four Seasons Chiang Mai: Chef's Table. A Dining Experience to Remember.

Chef's Table. Eating dinner while the chef prepares your meal right in front you.

That's pretty much a guaranteed memorable dinner. The perfect way to celebrate a birthday.

The Four Seasons Chiang Mai's Chef Table was one of the most memorable meals and dining experiences I've ever had in the world. First of all, the setting is on the mountainous Chiang Mai. The Four Seasons property highlights the natural beauty and greenery.

Then, the cooking school setting makes your jaw drop with how amazing the school is set up with huge exhaust systems, cooking stations, and wooden structures.

There's also the chefs who make you feel so special and welcomed.

Finally, the Thai food is so delicious that weeks (and I'm sure months and years later) I'm still remembering the flavors playing on my tongue and warming my stomach. Great Thai food does that to you. What a night.

10 courses, an open bar, and an exclusive private dinner. All for 2500 baht (~$80USD). I've spent hundreds of US Dollars on meals in the US for great meals from highly reputable celebrity chefs. This night blows them all away.


Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Four Seasons Chefs Table

Four Seasons Chiang Mai

As part of my mom's birthday celebration, I treated my family to a special culinary experience at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai.

We arrived at the resort early to tour the property. Wow, it's just as impressive as the Mandarin Oriental.

Its a gorgeous, lush resort filled with trees and surrounded by the northern mountains. You totally get the whole Chiang Mai/Northern Thailand feel. If I find myself back in Chiang Mai, I think I might try out this resort next time.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album Four Seasons Chiang Mai

A Casual Meal, Poolside at the Mandarin Oriental Chiang Mai

After an early morning of touring the city of Chiang Mai (and visiting all the celadon and bronze factories), it was already past lunch time. We were left with only a couple choices of where to dine in the resort. Poolside at the Loy Kham Bar. There's something about dining outside by a pool that makes you want to eat light, eat healthy, and enjoy a tropical drink...


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The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: MO Chiang Mai Pool Bar

Northern Thai Lunch in Chiang Mai

If you only have a few days in Chiang Mai and you stay at a resort like the Mandarin, it's so easy to just stay in the resort and enjoy all they have to offer. The resort is huge.. like Disneyland huge. Along with all the sights and activities, there's also a great variety of dining throughout the property.

One of my favorite Thai restaurants is here at the resort. Lanna offers traditional Thai cuisine and traditional Northern Thai cuisine of the Chiang Mai area. Northern cuisine offers lots of fresh flavors and vegetables, as well as deep flavored curries. The tables are spacious to accomodate for family style dining - perfect for Thai cuisine to enjoy tastes of all the dishes.


Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Lanna