Food Delivery: Infinitea's Family Packs

The new normal has pushed several businesses to be innovative and bring the good ol' days' experience to their patrons' homes. We've seen bento boxes, DIY kits, and so much more. One of my favorites is how the milk tea industry delighted us with their take-home options. And Infinitea's ready to drink collapsible liter jugs sure made it to my top list.

Hello, Infinitea.

Infinitea has known in the market for its affordable milk teas and other beverages. I remember having it weekly back when I was still working for Summit Media. I'd often get its chocolate milk tea or classic milk tea. 

I miss the good ol' days where it's so easy to get hold of your favorite milk tea or fruit tea. It still is for many. But our village has been very strict with outside deliveries. Thank goodness for Infinitea's Family jugs. 

Available in 5 liters and 2.5 liters, milk and fruit tea aficionados can enjoy several servings of Infinitea's Original Milk Tea (PHP407, 2.5L | PHP748, 5L), Wintermelon Milk Tea (PHP473, 2.5L | PHP830, 5L), Premium Okinawa Milk Tea (PHP517, 2.5L | PHP968, 5L), Chocolate Milk Tea (PHP467, 2.5L | PHP863, 5L), Jasmine with Honey Lemon Tea (PHP363, 2.5L | PHP660, 5L), and Peach Lychee Fruit Tea (PHP286, 2.5L | PHP500, 5L). You can also get sinkers to go with your drinks at PHP100 per order.

Since I know I'll be doing ge lai soon, I went a bit crazy and had Wintermelon Milk Tea and Jasmin with Honey Lemon Tea both in 2.5L and Peach Lychee Fruit Tea in 5L all for myself! (Okay, I had to share it because I can't drink too much sweet and tea-based drinks.)

I have to commend Infinitea for its perfectly cooked tapioca! It had that addictive chewy texture everyone loves. Nata was good too though I would have loved it more if it was slightly bigger chunks for more bite.

The family jugs are all made with 100% sugar,.so it tends to be on the sweet side. Best to put extra ice if you are not very fond of sweet drinks.

Wintermelon Milk Tea hits the spot for boba cravings. But it was its fruit tea that won me over.

I love the refreshing taste of its Peach Lychee Fruit Tea. I enjoyed it even more by adding nata. I just topped it with lots of ice so that my OB-GYN won't get stressed with my potential weight gain from indulging.

What I liked most about Infinitea's take-home packs is that it's a lot more portable and compact. You don't have to worry about space in the fridge as the container shrinks as you consume more. 

It can also serve as a great gift to family and friends this holiday season. 

Grab yours now!

Infinitea has multiple branches in Metro Manila. 

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REVIEW: Wild Flour pizzeria, Ovingdean, Brighton

Totally off the radar is a pizzeria tucked away in Ovingdean. A place I've walked and run past many times, the only nod to it a small wooden hanging sign. I'd assumed this was just another food truck in someone's garden or a pop up of sorts. But no, turn the corner and you'll find a beautiful little restaurant, which actually sits in the location of the former Old Vienna Cafe. It's surrounded by dahlias, fairy lights and trees and beyond adorable. 

Whilst the restaurant itself is closed during Covid restrictions, delivery and pick up is available and remains immensely popular, turning out an average of 150 pizzas a night in high season. I live for these quirky back street discoveries, totally unexpected and exceeding expectation.

First things first, the 36 hr prove dough is unique. Neapolitan at heart, yet crisp with a French influence. Owner and former chef Chris Phillips describes the core of the cornicione almost croissant-like and I see what he means. Those that find Neapolitan too soft and prefer a crisper base this is the one, but the all important chew is still there too - I've not had a pizza quite like it. It's specifically been crafted to travel better for delivery (makes sense as that's their core business) and the oven is spectacular too - a proper, roaring wood fired beast. 

Also noteworthy is the stealth provenance at play. There's almost an insane attention to detail here which pizza thrives on. Being a simple product it leaves no margin for error or corner cutting - skill, process and your ingredient quality are for the World to see which is why I love it so much. Easy to do, difficult to master.

As always I try a simple topping to gauge a pizza - a Napoletana or a Margherita. The menu is unusual in places so The Ocean One was closest with a tomato base, fior di latte cheese, anchovies, capers and roasted chilli flakes. That base is the absolute one; light, airy, chewy, tasty...everything it should be but even better. A good measure of a good pizza is that you should be easy able to eat the whole thing and not feel like you're going to keel over, and I was able to wolf this down with ease. 

On The Pepperoni One a Hungarian pepperoni is used over an Italian one because of the intense smoke and nothing like the greased slick sausage you'd typically find. 

Looking at the menu, there's a touch to every ingredient and the first time I've felt the need to try the more creative options. Although my first visit was an invite, I knew I had to return pronto.

Despite my very, very strong opinions on Hawaiian pizza this was the first time in my life I was convinced to try one, and no I wasn't drunk or being at held at gunpoint. My first visit I'd point blank refused but Chris came out with the maple glazed pineapple that is pre roasted in the wood oven. I knew then that this was not your average pizzeria.

Cue the Marks and Spencer's sexy music... "This isn't pineapple pizza, this is Wild Flour pineapple pizza...".  They cook the ham as a joint and by roasting the pineapple it means you're not chugging down on chunks from Del Monte. Pre roasting removes the juice and whilst it remains sweet, it's subtle, stickier, slightly candied and with the quality ham is really quite a delicious thing.

Hell we may as well break down all my barriers now. Garlic bread - another insane thing commonly found on menus that weirdos order as starters to a pizza along with the likes of dough balls and chips. But here, the butter is sous vide and garlic infused before it hits the dough, altering the burning point and avoiding that acrid taste. Truly a surprising highlight on the menu and a must order.

And on and on; mushrooms are baked in the oven with balsamic reminding me of my Italian aunt's preserved ones, chilli flakes are roasted...the halloumi salad I had, the cheese had been marinated in paprika, honey and black pepper before a stint in the wood oven, imparting a glorious sweet, sticky chew. 

My limit was reached with the special, where they go REALLY out, this time The Chilli Dog One with gourmet hot dog sausage, ground chilli, lightly pickled onions, American mustard, bacon crumb. I have no doubt that the gourmet junk food brigade would be all over this one and the chilli alone was delicious as I scooped it up - give me a bowl of this any time. On a pizza? Too far for me. They've also had an Indian pizza in the past that proved popular, inspired by the Goan dish Dal Makahni and was 6 months in development. You know what? I'd probably order it.

Dessert pizza - ha she'll hate this right! I despise those awful, sickly Nutella pizzas to end flabby garlic bread and pizza doughball dinners which you'll finish digesting sometime in 2022. Yet here, the dough is shaped into a fluffy doughnut shape, yes with Nutella, but with homemade candied orange, roasted pistachios to give a saline edge and a side of marscapone. This had a huge Sicilian vibe, think cannoli filling, which I was all over. Ridiculously good, grown up and totally different.  

Starting 3 years ago in a back garden further up the road, and now at home here for a year with a full scale wood fired pizza and permanent premises, the dough has been a labour of love. As much as this would make any Italian grimace, Wild Flour are not tied to tradition, they do what feels right which is often misguided approach in the wrong hands. But here the intention is right and they have the craft and vision to turn pizza on its head. 

I knew on my first visit but returned to make sure and can safely say this really is the best pizza in the Brighton area. People of Ovingdean I apologise - your secret is out. 

 

Website: www.wildflourpizza.co.uk
Address: Greenways, Ovingdean Brighton BN2 7BA

I was invited on the first occasion but returned as a paying customer. Words and thoughts, as always, my own. 

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Expecting During a Pandemic: Husbands Now Allowed Inside Delivery Room at St. Luke's

I missed out a lot while expecting during a pandemic. I didn't get to enjoy those fun baby fairs or experience a baby shower. I found myself extra paranoid every time I step out of the house. And getting the food I crave was, more often than not, a challenge. But the saddest thing this new normal changed for pregnant women is not having their husbands or partners beside them during labor and delivery. I wanted to share this precious moment with R. And luck was on our side when I found out that one companion during delivery is now allowed at St. Luke's! 

Two days to go before we meet Sam!

I was beyond thrilled when I accidentally found out that husbands or partners can now enter the delivery room. It was late at night when I was browsing through Glam-O-Mamas' Facebook community page when someone inquired about a swab test for her husband as he'll accompany her in the delivery room. She was asking fellow moms if paying PHP4,300 (walk-in) or PHP6,500 (drive-thru) is worth it given its short validity of five days for dads or dads-to-be (versus two weeks for moms). 

Though some moms felt that it would be best to deliver solo, such was not the case for R and I as we are both first-time parents. Being in the same room, seeing our little one for the first time, and R having the privilege to cut the umbilical cord is priceless. It is, without a doubt, worth it. 

But before you book your husband's or partner's swab test appointment, make sure to check first with your OB-GYNE as your partner's access to the delivery room is subject to the approval of your doctor. Ours was okay with R being there for me. We quickly booked one as soon as we got home.

Booking his appointment is the same as how I booked mine. You have to create an eHealth Hub profile or log in if you already have one, click Covid Test, pick the branch you want to visit as well as the mode of swab test (walk-in or drive-thru) and answer a short questionnaire. Once done, you will be directed to the payment page where you can conveniently settle your bill. 

Make sure to check your email after and print your receipt as this is required during your appointment. Also, wait for an SMS to confirm your appointment. 

We arrived a few minutes before R's appointment, and we were surprised that he had to wait for two to three hours before getting swabbed. I asked if R can get his test done in a separate area as he'll be accompanying me to the delivery room. (I thought that they might be more lenient with dads as them being exposed means putting me at risk too. Sadly, they don't.)

The guard on duty suggested that we go back around three to four o'clock as the crowd usually thins out around that time. We went back around 3 p.m., and the place was still busy. R got to have his swab done an hour and a half later. It was a good thing he was allowed to wait by the car instead of the waiting area. He also had his swab test done in the area where pregnant, seniors and PWD get swabbed.

R got his result before noon the next day. And it was negative. 

Now, we have to make sure Sam comes out before R's swab test result expires. 

Note: I highly recommend that you take drive-thru instead. We didn't know that walk-in for those who are not pregnant, senior, or PWD have to wait that long before getting swabbed. With our Covid-19 cases still high, spending a few extra bucks is worth it. We didn't see any other car in the drive-thru area the whole time we were there.

Photo credit: Swab test photo from Aide App.

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Top 7 Best Pizzas in Brighton

Since my my 2015 best pizza in Brighton round up (the most popular post on the blog ever) I've eaten a lot of pizza around these parts. Regular readers will be well versed about my passion for pizza, even featuring in Daniel Young's Where To Eat Pizza tome. Its craft and simplicity never gets old and well, it's just a comforting, lovely thing to eat with family, with friends, with dates, with just yourself. There's never a bad occasion for a pizza. 

Quite a few new players have stepped up in more recent years which has raised the dough game, but not always enough to knock the established pizzerias off their perch though. And although the original post listed some absolute howlers (and boy, were there some true horrors), I've got my positive pizza pants on, and sticking to only the good in this update.

A word on full reviews and images - some may be quite historic but pizzerias are typically my "night off" or family nights. Pizzerias are the restaurants I frequent the most, and I normally don't repost full blog reviews but I'm confident in knowing the ones I have linked to have remained consistent. 

1. Wild Flour 

(Full review coming tomorrow)

Top spot goes to Wild Flour, tucked away in Ovingdean, the attention to detail is immense. Each element is crafted - they even roast the chilli flakes. This remains the only time I've ever willingly eaten a Hawaiian pizza - hams are baked in the wood oven and hand carved, the pineapple maple glazed and roasted.

The 36 hour dough is a Neapolitan with a croissant-like twist and cooked in their magnificent wood fired oven. 

Topping vary from the safe to the wild. Don't miss their wood fired doughnut shaped pizza for dessert. 

You can read my full review as to why this one is so special tomorrow.

Price of a Napoletana: £12
Home Delivery? Collection and Delivery

Website: www.wildflourpizza.co.uk
Address: Greenways, Ovingdean Brighton BN2 7BA

2. Fatto a Mano 

(Full review)

Brighton's major pizza player and the one we owe to introducing good pizza to the masses of the city. Authentic and a temple to true Neapolitan pizza close to home in their simple but stylish restaurants.

I've lost count of the pizzas I've had here, my staple order of a Napoletana never fails, washed down with a Hugo or a glass of wine or five, it remains one of the best value places to eat. The menus are refreshingly short, toppings traditional, and the staff are glorious. 

Equally good for date night or family meal (but shame they dropped the kids eat free deal), they hit the ground running and have stayed true to their ethos since. 

Price of a Napoletana: £8.50
Home Delivery? Collection and Delivery

Website: www.fattoamanopizza.com
Address: 
London Road: 77 London Road, Brighton BN1 4JF
North Laines: 21 Kensington Street, Brighton BN1 4AJ
Hove: 65-67 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BD

3. Yamino

Bringing us something totally different to Brighton, Yamino serves up Roman pizza by the slice. 

Lighter, airier and crisper than Neapolitan, and sold al taglio, or by the weight back in Rome but here in handy portions so you can mix and match a few to try out the excellent toppings. You'll need 2 or 3 at least for a good feed but you'll want to try more. 

They are always playing around with flavours but don't miss the potato and onion one!

Price of a Napoletana: £n/a
Home Delivery? Collection 

Website: www.yamino.co.uk
Address: 4A Montpelier Place, Brighton, BN1 3BF 

4. Nuposto 

(Full review)

I think Nuposto remains one of the most underrated pizzerias in Brighton. For me the dough is exceptional. So good you'd almost never know their ovens were gas - the chew and the leoparding is consistently on point and the toppings on the more traditional options good quality and the perfect balance. 

They get lost for their tourist trap location, garish branding and too much diversity on their menu as they launched into offering pasta as well as a hefty starters list which masquerades them as an anglo-Italian rather than the real deal. 

Look past that, don't get distracted on the menu and you won't be disappointed. Particularly great for family dining. 

Price of a Napoletana: £8.50
Home Delivery? Delivery 
Website:  www.nuposto.com
Address: 14 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RE

5. Purezza 

(Full review)

I'll hold my hands up and say I was more than skeptical about an exclusively vegan pizzeria. What is pizza if not meats and cheese? But they make their own "mozzarella" with Italian brown rice and have developed the best vegan cheeses I've tried.

Toppings are creative - inspired by their meat alternatives and clever use of vegetables. But at the heart of any good pizza is good dough and here it is pillowy and light, with the fattest cornicone in town - it's a delight to eat. You can also opt for hemp or gluten free bases so this place makes what can be an off limits food accessible to all. 

Price of a Napoletana: n/a prices around £13
Home Delivery? Delivery 

Website:  www.purezza.co.uk
Address: 
Brighton: 12 St James’s Street, BN2 1RE
Bristol: 79-81 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AS
Camden: 45-47 Parkway, NW1 7PN
Hove: 86-87 Western Road, BN3 1JB 

6. Nanninella 

(full review)

Although the oven is gas, Naninella make a darn fine pizza. This adorable restaurant makes you feel like you're on holiday in Italy and the flavours remain traditional and authentic. 

Also good are the range of Neapolitan street food starters. 

Price of a Napoletana: £10
Home Delivery? Delivery 

Website: www.nanninellapizzeria.co.uk
Address: 26 Preston Street, Brighton BN1 2HN

7. VIP

I've only recently returned to VIP and I think they've improved a lot. Bases are more robust and well formed and toppings a better ratio. 

Family run, truly Italian and a very nice little restaurant just by Old Steine that makes you feel like you've fallen into an Italian delicatessen. Which, you kind of have. 

Their signature oblong shaped pizzas are cooked in their wood fired oven and most of the cheeses and meats come from their own farm in Naples - a huge bonus, and you can taste the quality. I do like the dough here, slightly more robust than others but always enjoyable.  

The menu is bewilderingly huge with over 60 pizzas *scream* plus a full Italian food menu in addition. You can also purchase their produce to take home. 

Price of a Napoletana: £7.25

Home Delivery? Delivery 

Website:  www.pizzavip.co.uk

Address:
Brighton: 19 Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1El

Saltdean: 67 Lustrells Vale, Saltdean BN2 8FA

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Takeout Picks: Black Scoop

Black Scoop is one of my go-to milk tea shops since 2018. With its delectable fruit teas and addictive milk teas, it's hard not to grab a few drinks whenever I pass by a branch. I know that they have savory meals too, but I only got to try some of its dishes during the community quarantine. And since I now know that they have good chicken poppers, I decided to grab some again after my OB appointment. 

Hello, Black Scoop.

For a milk tea shop, Black Scoop offers a good range of dishes to complement its sweet drinks. Its menu includes rice meals, sandwiches, pasta, and snacks. 

I was leaning towards its rice meals but hesitated as the viands are nothing special and something I always eat at home. I ended up ordering Clubhouse Sandwich (PHP220), Taiwanese Chicken Poppers (PHP140), and Carbonara (PHP220). I also grabbed Matcha Frappe (PHP140, large), Imperial Fruit Tea (PHP120, large), and Mixed Berries (PHP105, large).

I was surprised that about half of my chicken poppers were just seasoned batter. There was barely any chicken in the chicken poppers. It was also a tad too salty for my liking. At least it was crunchy. 

The clubhouse sandwich came with some cheesy nachos making it more filling and ideal for sharing. But it was also on the salty side. I also found it a bit oily or greasy. It's one sandwich you need to have a drink with to enjoy. 

Black Scoop's carbonara was quite good. I loved that it was creamy and had bacon bits. It would have been better if they topped it with crispy bacon bits instead of the thick-cut ones. 

And as always, Black Scoop's Imperial Fruit Tea is still one of the best in town!

I wasn't able to take photos of Matcha Frappe and Mixed Berries. But both were good too. The Matcha Frappe tasted just like Starbucks ' version but at a more pocket-friendly price point. The mixed berries drink I got was at 50% sugar level, and it was a great thirst-quencher!

I messaged Black Scoop via Instagram to give my feedback on the two dishes I found salty. And they were quick to respond! I appreciate brands that acknowledge and welcome feedback from their customers. I do hope that my next Taiwanese chicken poppers won't be as salty and would have better chicken to batter ratio.

Black Scoop has multiple branches in Metro Manila.

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Pregnancy Journey: Covid-19 Walk-In vs. Drive-Thru Swab Test Experience at St. Luke's Medical Center QC

Anticipation. This is probably the best word to describe the stage R and I are in these past two weeks. From a false labor scare to scheduling my swab test (a new normal protocol) a tad too early, we've reached the part where we're itching to see our little one. But Sam doesn't seem to be ready yet that I had to redo my swab test as the first result's validity already expired. And to shake things up, I decided to try its walk-in swab test instead of taking drive-thru twice.

Hello again, Swab Test!

One of the perks of giving birth at St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City is that your required swab test before delivery is complimentary. You can even choose drive-thru without any additional cost. However, those who hit over two weeks and haven't delivered yet have to take another swab test. And this time, you have to pay for it. 

Scheduling an appointment for my swab test this time around was not as convenient as the first one. I felt less prioritized as I had to do things on my own. But it was still pretty straightforward and quick as everything was done via St. Luke's ehub portal. 

Since I already have an ehub account, all I had to do was order a swab test. 

Pick the branch you want to visit and type of appointment, then accomplish the health declaration questionnaire.

One of the great things with booking online is that you can pay for your lab test online too. Make sure to print a copy of your official receipt (which will be sent via email) as that is required during your swab test appointment. 

The Walk-in Swab Test costs PHP4,300 while the Drive-Thru Swab Test at PHP6,500. I initially wanted to go with drive-thru as I had a pleasant experience last time. But I wondered if it was worth the PHP2,200 premium. And it wasn't. 

Sure, there were a handful of instances where I had to accomplish some forms where the information is already available in my ehub profile. I also had to wait for 5-10 minutes by the drive-thru waiting area where it felt like social distancing was loosely observed. 

But I liked that pregnant women have separate swab test area. We also go through the employee's entrance to minimize contact with other outpatients. 

The guard on duty was helpful too. He processed my papers himself to shield me from unnecessary exposure. 

I was done with my swab test in less than two minutes, and I was ready to head back home after 15-20 minutes!

Results were also out in less than 24 hours. I even got an SMS notifying me that the results were out. 

Note: Entrance for the walk-in swab test is the same as the drive-thru's for St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City. 

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Underrated Drinks: Dakasi's Creme Avocado

With baby Sam's arrival getting nearer and nearer, I find myself wanting to indulge in cold treats every single day. From ice cream to frozen cake, I just want to have them all before I start ge lai. And I'm so happy to be able to try Dakasi before I give birth. 

Hello, Dakasi.

Dakasi has been named as one of the underrated milk tea brands in Manila. As one of the minor players in the milk tea industry, it's easy to forget Dakasi when asked for the top of mind boba brands.

I passed by its Market Market branch a handful of times. But I never considered stopping by to try it out. Online reviews and social media posts claiming that Dakasi offers better drinks than my constants fail to convince me.

It wasn't until avocado became the new ube when I considered checking it out. It took me almost a year before I got to try its Creme Avocado (PHP180) as I was hardly in Manila since September. And then the lockdown happened, which made things hard to access even when you're in town.

I got to try Dakasi's popular drink last month. And true to the reviews I read, this one's legit avocado!

Dakasi uses fresh avocado compared to its competitors hence the more premium price tag. The classic combination of avocado and milk easily swooned my taste buds. I also loved that it wasn't overly sweet. The only downside of this beverage is that it's a bit too heavy as a drink. It could fill you up with just a few sips, especially if you have it with your meal. 

Its Dakasi Bubble Milk Tea (PHP120) was good too. It may not be the best one in town for me, but I enjoyed the boba. It had that perfect chewy texture that I love. 

I'm now curious about its matcha and fruit-based drinks. I'll try those next time. 

Dakasi has several branches in Metro Manila.

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Takeout Favorite: Ooma's Ebi and Soft Shell Crab Tempura Aburi Bake

It has been seven months since I last dined in and traveled. And as much as I tell myself that it's better to stay cooped up indoors, I can't help miss the "old" normal. Thankfully, many restaurants made it a lot bearable for us by making takeouts a bit more interesting, just like Ooma with its bento meals and its lip-smackingly good aburi bake!

Hello, Ooma.

Ooma is no stranger to those who love Japanese fusion dishes. Its wide array of maki and entrees guarantees that there's something for everyone. And for me, it has always been its soft shell crab taco maki and hanger steak.

I was thrilled when I found out that Ooma is open to takeouts and curbside pickups. But I had a hard time getting hold of its Greenhills branch. I tried messaging its Instagram account, and it takes a day or two to get a reply from them. The mobile number listed for takeout orders take forever too to reply. 

Someone got in touch with me only after I posted an Instagram story asking for other ways to contact Ooma Greenhills. I hope that this was just a coincidence and that customers do not have to post something online to get assistance. 

I placed an advanced order of Truffled Steak Aburi Maki Bento (PHP399), Hanger Steak (PHP565), and Ebi and Soft Shell Crab Tempura Aburi Bake (PHP898) for curbside pickup.

I love that the branch was very accommodating with my request for an earlier pick up when I finished my errands quicker than expected. We paid via credit card, and about 5 minutes or so, we were on our way home.  

The hanger steak is still a winner in my book. Its mouthwatering aroma filled the room as soon as I opened the takeout container. Each piece of meat was tender and wonderfully enveloped with white truffle's flavor. The generous serving of crispy baby potato, potato mash, and mushroom gave each mouthful an addictive mix of textures.

I wish I could say the same for the truffled steak aburi maki bento. I was hoping that it would taste similar to the hanger steak. But it had that slight gas taste which I didn't like. 

At least the gyoza was good.

But the star of our lunch then was Ooma's newest offering--Ebi and Soft Shell Crab Tempura Aburi Bake. 

One order comes with soy dashi sushi rice generously topped with ebi tempura, soft shell crab tempura, ebiko, pickled radish, tempura crumbs, and aonori, then finished off with house wasabi aioli, aligue mayo, and tempura sauce. 

I love that the flavors blended instead of trying to overpower each other. It was also not cloying at all that we finished half a tray in one sitting.

R and I enjoyed the aburi bake and hanger steak that we're planning to order again soon!

Note: This sweet and savory platter packed with various textures is good for four.

Ooma has several branches in Metro Manila. 

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