Benchingko

It's the 25th year of Bench, and one of their unique ways of celebrating it was releasing series of short films under the umbrella title Benchingko Films. I was invited at the premiere night held at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage Theater last Friday and as expected, it was star-studded!

Yours truly at Benchingko red carpet.

With BFF Angelette Calero!

The stars of the films, minus Coco Martin: Piolo, Lucy, Lovie and the one and only Mr. Ben Chan.

The legendary kontrabida, Ms. Bella Flores, also graced the event!

Piolo Pascual with Ben Chan.

Other Bench endorsers were in full support. Here's Shaina Magdayao and Enchong Dee.

Hottie twins Anthony and David Semerád.

Regine Angeles, Enchong Dee & Jessy Mendiola.

Benjamin Alves & Rocco Nacino

Lovie Poe with Raymond Gutierrez, who hosted the event.

Comic pair Melai Cantiveros & Jayson Francisco.

Now check out the posters of the short films! All of them can be viewed on Bench's special site for Benchingko.

25 Bens starring Ben Chan himself.

Love Poe in Kama

Coco Martin in Horse Power

Lucy Torres-Gomez in Star Teacher

Bella Flores in Kontrabida 101

And Piolo Pascual in Perya

Mordisco, a French restaurant in Barcelona

Mordisco Restaurant is one of the many ventures by Grupo Tragaluz, the same owners of such quintessential Barcelona locales as the hotel Omm and Tragaluz restaurant - that’s a neighbor on Passatge Concepció. Part fancy gourmet grocer and part all-day eatery with refreshing menu of Catalan specialties, the restaurant is cocooned within a soothing space of creamy plaster and concrete walls arranged in a series of small lounges, grocery bar and communal dining room located under a large glass atrium. I was even amazed by the mix of cushy seating areas and rustic tables with resin bistro chairs, I doubt if they're even enough for the crowds that flock to this urban hotspot known for its spectacular food and amazing ensemble of diners.

Furnitures aside, the restaurant boasts of an appetizer menu of fired artichokes, jamon croquettes and smoked foie gras with fig brioche that are edible in perfection. Spinach salad with apple-smoked bacon and tomato tartar with burrata leave little appetite for the amazing creations in the following main courses. Entrees are divided between sections of Healthy & Charcoal with mushroom risotto or open omelet with gruyere to Meats like ox belly with arguala, grilled fillet with béarnaise sauce and hot veal carpaccio with olive herb drizzle. A handful that will leave you with a mouthful.

Welcome to Barcelona!

If the outer look intrigues you, wait 'till you get inside.

Wine treasures.

A modern place of traditional servings.

Love this table! It's so French.

Fancy a sweet? You'd be satisfied with these treats.

A tomato in huge proportion, now that's amazing!

50% grocery, 50% restaurant, and a 100% dining experience.

Tragaluz Restaurant

Amongst other restaurants on a little alley just off Passeig de Gràcia, this place is just one of the many successful Tragaluz chain's big hits. The restaurant known as Tragaluz offers an interesting range of Japanese fare including Sashimi, Teriyaki, Tempura and Sushi. However, the cosmopolitan menu also features meat kebabs, rice dishes, noodles and salads - the typical Catalan food - but with Japanese names. Aside from this, the food is also a mixture of traditional and modern, adapted to the tastes and lifestyles of today. You may find the same recipes as always but created using the latest technology and with lighter ingredients. The ultra-modern decor in black and earth colors provide that Oriental ambience that you would expect.

Since its renovation, Tragaluz remains the same as always after 22 years, but younger and fresher. The ground floor has three bars. Upon entering you'd find the oyster bar – TragaFishh. Tragaluz is on the upper floors, traditional but updated. Sketches of Mariscal’s design of the new logo decorate the staircase wall as you go up. Here in this space you find the kitchen – a surprise because you'd have to pass through it to reach the dining room.

Welcomed by the oyster bar, you'll immediately go hungry.

On one hand it's comfy, on the other, it's delicate.

Stairway to delicacy.

Food for main course and art for dessert.

A restaurant where I'll definitely feel home.

Meal with sunlight, it brightens up my day.

From something appetizing to something cozy.