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Franco's: For the Playful Kid In Us

January 23, 2014, 4:10 pm
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A slice of pizza a day... makes my tummy happy.. so a merienda a day... makes my tummy smile everyday.



Franco's is the resto coming from Myrons.
Simple not too fancy and speaks chill...
Maximized spacing and what not.. colorful sturdy chairs..
 
Since it was cold, we had a pot of tea...
Strawberry mango flavored... A little more strawberry than mango tasting if you asked me.
Tried out their Angus Beef Sisig (150Php).
 Pretty small serving. Had a little bit of mayo and had some crunch from the toppings...
 A pizza of Mozz, Emmental and Anchovies (220Php)
Thin pizza base. Fresh toppings. Light. Anchovies were pretty spread out and wasn't visible to the naked eye. Definitely not overly salty as one would think but tasted evenly. Liked this one!!!

Mushroom Risotto (240Php)
Creamy, shroomy but lacking the usual truffle taste. If there was any truffle in this, it would definitely miniscule in amount and can't be tasted
 Mom had the Bolognese (195Php)
Creamy red sauce. Beef cuts were from steak quality meat. Nicely cooked but overly creamy.
Great for kids but mom would have wanted it differently.

All right place to chill and have a merienda in. Didn't get to check out dessert because it wasn't that appetizing for us. In any case budget around 300 per person. Pretty affordable since you are in Rockwell. Kids would love to eat here as I heard the owners wanted this restaurant as something for their own kid.


Rather than the usual pianist in the middle, I saw a band. They were playing lovely jazz tunes. At one point, they had the background music from the Godfather... Damn.. Franco Franco.. why? why! LOL! Of course I mean Fredo! LOL!




Hear it here:



Franco's
Basement Level
Rockwell PowerPlant Mall
Makati City.

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Wicked in Manila: Nothing Is What It Seems

January 25, 2014, 9:36 pm
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Nursing  cough and colds, I still went with my brother and watched this damn good play. I wouldn't miss it!
How it looks like...
 Ever wonder what happened with Dorothy and her companions? What were the back stories on each one of them? Where did the wicked witch come from? All of these questions were answered in the play... and no, I won't ruin it for you so no spoilers here.

 I haven't watched a play this good since Phantom of the Opera made a debut in CCP a few years back (click). Well fine, I haven't watched any plays... Just concerts.. LOL!
The place was packed!!!
I won't dwell on the story and the performance that much as I am not a theater critic. But definitely the show was awesome!!! A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!! The funny one liners and the high notes... simply.. AMAZING!
Worth the wait and the price!!! No spoilers here! My brother went in blind and describe the play as H.O.T.!!!

Here's a little list of what to expect. Some tips and tricks to make your experience a little more comfortable.

Screen grab from ticketworld's website.
 1) Get good seats! By now, most of the weekend shows are fully booked. You could however go for a weekday one. Just to give you a sense of level, the I/J is about right and is good enough as you are able to get a good view of the show. You wouldn't be stretching your neck backwards just to watch what happens on stage and you can see the facial expression of the actors. I would also suggest getting chairs by the aisle. It has more arm space!
I liked the envelope for the tickets. Its a souvenir in itself.
2) Be there early! When we went, the play started at exactly 7:30pm. Not Filipino time mind you but exact time! They start to let people in by 7pm and doesn't let people in when it starts. Target getting there by 6pm. You will have to endure the traffic. What usually would take us an hour of travel, took us almost 2 hours. The traffic along Roxas Boulevard was really bad. From Manila Hotel to CCP, the travel time was almost an hour. Good luck with parking!!! Thank you driver!
See the green light? Yeah.. not moving...
 3) In connection to number 2, if you are early, you get to roam around the place. Take pictures! Notice and look at the different posters around. Buy some souvenirs.  If you are hungry, there is a stall that sells quick bites. Better to just eat across the street before the show and get good parking there.
They have a mini store...
and some other "branches"

A program costs 500Php and a cd is at 1200Php. A little expensive but what the heck.. all good.
4) If you are a Visa card holder, go on over to their photo booth. Done in a minute or two.They give away free pictures. Free souvenir. Yeah man!!!
Like this one...
 5) If you have asthma and or problems with strobe lights, I would suggest you get a seat with good distance from the stage. The play uses fog machines and could hit you with a nasty bout of the sniffles. I don't want to ruin it for you but Wicked makes good use of the color green, so at some point of the play, it may be too bright and hurt your eyes.
Evey time there is magic happening on the stage, the dragon's head move around and its eyes turn red!!! Map of Oz...
 6) Wear something decent. Semi-formal or smart casual I guess is great. But wouldn't it be nice to wear a cocktail dress for once or a long sleeve polo shirt outside the office. Don't imitate me though, I brought a jacket and wasn't even able to use it. It wasn't that cold in the main theater. At some point, they turned off the a/c or just that it was because of all the props and the lights and the place was packed. So by intermission, it was hot inside!!! They did turn it on again afterwards.

Wonderful performance Elphy!! Photo grabbed from the show's program
Blonde!!! Photo grabbed from the show's program.
7) Of course, enjoy the show. Appreciate the performance and love every bit of it.

   


Jemma Rix as Elphaba
and Suzie Mathers as G(a)linda with a silent Ga!









P.S.
The play would run for 2 hours and 49 minute,, with a 20-minute interval. Latecomers will be accommodated during suitable scenes only. Please note that this performance uses strobe lighting and smoke/haze effects.

P.P.S.
I noticed that you could bring in DSLR and cams. They allow you to take photos before and after the show. Just don't use them during. 
Also, bring in a bottle of water just to get your thirst at bay. Remember, its quite hard to go in and out of the theater just for a toilet break.

Wicked 
Opened January 22, 2014
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo
CCP Main Theater, Pasay
Call TicketWorld (632)891-9999


Disclaimer: Some of the pictures here are photo grabs from Wicked's program and some from the website of Ticketworld. I do not own them. Credits to the owners. I paid for our tickets. Wrote this based on my opinions.
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Motolite 24/7 Car Battery Delivery : Saved My Life

January 26, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Here's my True Horror Date Story: 
Going home from a dinner and a movie in RW with a friend and hoping to get home before 12 on a Saturday date night.  Got in my car and BAM!!!
Car wouldn't start.
Pri (my car's name) just bogged down. It purred like a kitten for a second or two and its out..
 Damn... no luck tonight...Worst, its already 10:30pm.
Called my driver (secretly hoping he isn't out and partying so I could just have my car changed... which yeah.. he was out drinking) and asked him for some tips and other things to check in the car.
then... my worst fear was confirmed when he said...
"mukang battery ang problem je"
Damn it!! Damn it!! I knew he was right. Head lights weren't strong and even the stereo was a little weak.
Dyahe... naman...

Going home and my car wouldn't start. I am stuck in Resorts World with someone else in the middle of the night..I called mom and asked some information. Good thing some of my bro's friends and their parents were still at our place doing some project for school. One suggested Motolite 24/7 delivery. Thank you tita!

I called the hotline (632)370-6686 and gave all the information needed.
Type and model of my car, my exact location, and the battery to be sent on over.
I asked how long should I wait... Approximately an hour the guy said at the other line. Sounds reasonable especially at this time of the night.

After putting down the phone , I got a call within 10 minutes and the technician assigned to me called in and asked some more details and verified information.  
So, what happened with my uhmmm friend? Well I got her busy...
Looking back, it was a great idea for me to bring my good old ipad and have her watch Maroon's 5 concert.
Something to distract her.....I am so sorry..C..... promise I will make it up to you... sayang di natuloy ang balak ko bwhahah!JOKE!
 I coordinated with the mall's security and asked the SOP and have them escort the guy to the parking lot.
After an hour of waiting, the guy got to my car.
He checked everything like a professional should. Everything was precise and down right straight forward.
The mall's security guard even helped out... Kudos to them..
Kuya from Motolite brought in some gear... to check the batteries.
 This would check if the battery was still working and if the delivery system was fine...
After changing the battery, all that was left was the payment. I chose to pay via credit card since I could easily reimburse it with my parents (LOL)!! take note and have a record of the payment...
 Yeaps... They bring in a swipper for those paying via credit card...
Then, they just fill in the paper works and have everything in order. All done within 30 minutes!!!
Thankfully, I was able to bring my date back home by 12:30am and I was home around 1:30am. 
Whew!! I would really like to thank the security guards in Resorts World and also this bright idea of Motolite.

The following day, my parents and driver checked out the battery and some of the paper works. According to them the battery that conked out was only a few months old. So, we had my payment reimbursed! It was refund baby!! Wohooooo!!!! 
We just had to coordinate it with their hotline and went on over to the store that changed my battery in Makati.
Along pasong tamo.. Near Little Tokyo
 Even if some of the paperwork was missing, the main office just had the information faxed on over to this branch. Everything was quite smooth sailing from there.
They checked the old battery and found it defective. We were also informed that the new battery in our car was actually of a lesser quality so we demanded it to be changed to the same level of the original battery.

Unfortunately, they didn't have any stock. So, off we go on a roadtrip and got our new battery at a different store all for free. I guess, only our time and gas were spent in changing the batteries. No biggie as we had it changed all for free...
Some of the lessons I learned from this would be to always bring an Ipad and have the number of Motolite saved in my cellphone. Whew..... in any case, I am thankful that motolite has this kind of service. It is quite affordable and really helpful that they have this available 24/7 in the metro. 

Motolite Express Delivery
Works 24/7 in Metro Manila and in Key Cities in Philippines
(632)370-6686



Disclaimer: made this post based on experience and on my own opinion. Wasn't paid nor asked to write this down.
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Quick Bite at Mr. Kurosawa

January 28, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Coming from a bug... A literal stomach bug......I was feeling a bit queesy... but since I had a dinner/movie appointment... Well screw it!!! 
Found ourselves here... 
 

Drove all the way to Pasay and  promised to let a friend try something new... Believe it or not, she had never tried anything fresh.. like sashimi.. Since it was Saturday afternoon and traffic was epic, we figured going to a nearby mall instead of trooping all the way to my favorite mall in Mandaluyong (yup shang..).

And we were supposed to watch a movie and since we had a schedule to follow, we needed to eat quick and fast... Thankfully, there was no one eating in Mr. Kurosawa. 

For drinks, I had a cup of hot tea (complimentary).. Just something to sooth my tummy..
While she had a glass or bottomless blue tea (108Php)


Well she made it clear she wasn't eating any fresh seafood so fine... 
We just got a crunchy kani roll (278Php)
Deep fried kani strips on top of bare kani rolls.
What is going to a Japanese resto without some ebi tempura (398Php)
Normal.. nothing too fancy.
and some beef teppan (378Php).
asked it to be cooked medium... well it went out almost well done.

Food was okay nothing to rave about. Tasted okay. Seems that the menu is the same with Sumo Sam. In any case, the service was okay and food was all right. Budget around 400 per person. 
I guess, people go here for some of the cocktail drinks they serve. Medyo mura na compared to other places...and I went for the company and not the food... :D


 Mr. Kurosawa
2nd Floor Resorts World Manila
Pasay City
Infront of Naia 3

 
Disclaimer: paid for our meals. Posted my own opinion
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Dulcelin Gourmet: Not Your Ordinary Cake Store

January 30, 2014, 4:10 pm
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My lola hasn't been out of the house since lolo passed away. She was a bit depressed. So, we took an opportunity and grabbed her for a quick lunch before visiting lolo. Even if she already ate, we still pushed for it. Since UP Town Center was on the way to the cemetery, we had a quick one there.  
I knew lola wanted something sweet. She could devour a bowl of ice cream and eat lots and lots of candies and her sugar level would still stay normal. How envious am I of that!? Think eating sugar and still staying fit and not have a huge tummy! Since I tried Dulcelin a few months back because of their mango torte, I knew this would be a nice place to have a quickie. 

Located in Up Town Center, I am thankful that the owners went on ahead and opened up their first restaurant after having just a home store along Times St for the longest time. It was only logical for their business to grow.
Great job!
The place is straight forward, around 70-90 can fit, I guess and they have some al-fresco dining area. Best to eat outside since the weather is nice and cold.

Once we were seated, we ordered our drinks.
Lola wanted some hot tea for the cold weather. So she picked some from a box.
 A pot would cost only 60 bucks. Nice right?
She picked jasmine green tea. Smooth and great for the weather.
 Mom, on the other hand, had the calamansi juice (60Php).
 Ang asim!!
 I tried their bottomless brewed iced tea (60/90Php).
Not too sweet and just right.
To start our mains, we ordered lengua (330/600Php sharing).
Ox tongue smothered in brown sauce, chorizo El Ray and mushrooms. Served with steam rice.
Presentation could be improved but definitely a winner! The tongue was soft and tender. The sauce went well with the dish.

The next would be the Scotch Egg (200Php/350Php sharing)
Marinated egg, packed with Italian garlic sausage, Breaded, Fried and served with Miso Corn Rice and seaweed salad. This particular dish reminds me of Green Pastures's pinoy egg (click). The garlic sausage is mild. The seaweed salad is divine. Some sesame oil and I guess honey. Not too sweet but definitely a great compliment to any dish.

The Srf American Wagyu tri-tip(550Php) is the perfect dish for any meat lover.
Thinly sliced Wagyu Tri Tip served with truffled mashed potatoes, miso corn and sauteed French Beans with Japanese steak sauce. The meat is tender and soft. The potatoes tasted lovely with the truffle flavor. The serving is enormous and is good for 2-3 persons. Yummy!!!!!!
Of course, you can't go to dulcelin without trying their dessert! Duh!! That is what they are known for!!!!
You should start with their mango torte (Php1100-12', 750-9", 130/slice)
Crispy chewy nougatine, golden mangoes and cream. Plain and simple. Mangoes and a little crunch. SAWAP!!!! Even lola liked this!!!
And we also tried the callebaut chocolate ganache cake (9"-1430/ 6"-650/165 for a slice)
Premium Belgian chocolate icing, chocolate mousse center, sprinkled with almonds. The chocolate used wasn't too sweet and the middle of the cake was lovely!!!

The place is straight forward. Nothing fancy and good food all together. The food can be for sharing. So I guess its a good place for a family lunch or a small gathering. The price isn't that bad. The service was fast although I think they're a bit frantic going around especially when the place is packed. Now, if only they serve sugar free desserts. LOL! Would definitely be back. Around 400-500Php/ person would do.

P.S.
Started putting in watermarks in my pictures. I am so sorry I had to do this. Argh destroying my own pics :(
I recently received emails and messages containing proof that there are some people copying and pretending that my pictures are theirs. Sad... Anyway, any suggestion on how to make good watermarks or logo? I am sooo a newbie on this and I am no artist.LOL!... Thanks Michy for giving me a heads up on which program to use.

Dulcelin Gourmet
2nd Floor
Up Town Center, Katipunan
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Facebook
Website
Original branch along Times Street, Quezon City


Disclaimer: Paid for our food. Wrote this post based on my own opinion.
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Cheap Bites: New City Food House

February 2, 2014, 4:10 pm
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After watching Wicked (click), my brother and I were at a lost with where to eat. I mean, it was already almost 11 and the traffic was horrible. We originally wanted to go to Aristocrat, but I didn't like the vibe I was feeling. so, we ended up here.  
At almost 12 midnight, the place was packed. I mean this small eatery would house around 70 at most and yet, the parking is full and people were there to eat. The place isn't that big and isn't that clean compared to a normal restaurant but heck it was good old yummy food that we came for.

After watching wicked, we were really hungry. Damn traffic!!!! So we ended up here.
A nice quiet 24 hour eatery. Nothing fancy but straight up home food and the prices... well lets just say... my mom would be proud we ate there because my brother is a picky eater...

We started things off with  some tofu. Tokwa rumble (139Php) is not for the weak.

Because it had some of these.


Believe it or not this isaw or intestine tasted awesome! There was nothing in there that would taste like ewww but rather it was smooth and soft. Easy to take in.

Next up was the beef tapa (77Php/small)

It was a little under seasoned but okay. For the price no problem! If you are not craving for it, skip it.

Now for their best seller!! The buttered chicken!!!! (175 Php Small)
This my friend ain't small. It is really good for 3 persons and yes it tastes really really really good. It isn't oily and spiced just right. Ask that the sauce be put aside so you get to add just the right amount and taste it just the way it is.

and man can't live without rice. Their shanghai rice (47Php) is somewhat different!
It was kinda plain and just fried rice with egg and ham. But I got to tell you, it worked well with the food that we got. Since we are rice eaters we got 2 of this. Although, one order is good for 2-3 small person. LOL!
 
I enjoyed this real gem of a place. I never knew there are still these kind of restaurants. It may not be as pricey as your ordinary restaurant. It may just be an ordinary eatery but heck they serve hit the spot food with the right price. Definitely worth going back to.... Another tip would be their kikiam. They are also known for it. If you aren't that much into their eating there, I suggest calling in and just pick up the food. Budget around around 150-200/ hungry person.


New City Food House
16 Kalayaan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City
(02)433-7852
From East Ave, turn to V. Luna. 
Turn right at the intersection (Kalayaan)
Make a U-Turn at the intersection. The Restaurant is at your right.






Disclaimer: Paid for our food, wrote based on opinions.
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Quickie: Dojo Dairy Japanese Ice Cream

February 4, 2014, 4:10 pm
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"You got it... you got it bad... when you're on the phone hung up and you call right back..." - Usher
 Literally !!!! Yeah.. I got it bad...

One freezing day, I was craving for some ice cream. Not just any ice cream but ICE CREAM that I know I would love. Hindi pwede ang basta basta lang....
But I was too lazy to drive out and go to Bono Gelato (click)....

So, I got on some researching and found one that would deliver just about anywhere in Manila. Wouldn't it be nice if all the lovely stuff in the world we want can be delivered right to us without extra charge and on a timely manner. 
That was what I experienced with Dojo Dairy. 
 At first I was shy... Thinking ... and doubting myself... At the end.... what the heck.... I contacted them...
....
They promptly replied and answered all my queries. They were also true to their word and got my ice cream delivered just before 1pm.

Dojo Dairy offers Japanese Ice cream made from Hokkaido Milk! It is creamy and rich and no additives and emulsifiers. Yummy !!!!!!
I got a lot of them... as you can see LOL! They offer 10 flavors and with reasonable prices for their caliber.
Here are some of them:
For the kids at heart, the strawberry banana would definitely hit the spot.
The banana and the strawberry definitely complimented one another. Kinda like a date on a cold summer night. LOL!

On the otherhand, the miso sake is different. It commands a more mature audience. The salty flavor reminds me of salted caramel desserts but has a different angle to it. This definitely is an acquired taste.
For an intermission to any meal, this lemon would definitely be the answer.
The lemon was distinct and helped cleared flavors out of my mouth. It reminds me of a sorbet I had once... A long long time ago....

Now lets move on to my favs....
The black sesame and its straight up flavor.
Not too sweet and has this sesame (duh!!!) flavor. It wasn't overwhelming but just right! A little roasty but not too much...
Next up would be the green tea!
Since I love green tea. this is a no brainer!!!!!! The matcha flavor was definitely there plus the addition of the nuts made it wonderful. The cream and the texture.. OMG!!! Pwede na pang tapat sa Green Tea latte sa starbucks LOL!

Anyway, you guys saw my orders so fine.... I ordered a lot... and yes...it wasn't enough.. So the next day.. mom, being the good and kindhearted she is.. ordered some more...

So hello freezer... LOL!
Don't ask... I won't tell...

I promise.. I will have some more... LOL! I sooooo love it!!!!


P.S. 
If you noticed I ordered Buttercream too.. Wondering why it wasn't here?
Well the monster in persona of my little bro's tummy ate it even before I got to try it..
DAMN!!!! must have some moreeeeeee!!!!

Dojo Dairy
0918-888DOJO (3656)



Price List: 8oz 230Php, 16oz (pint) 450Php, and 32oz (quart) 850Php.
For orders less than 1000Php, there is an additional delivery charge. 1000Php and up = free delivery.
Available also in Little Tokyo, Makati.

Disclaimer: Paid for the ice cream; wrote this based on my own opinion.
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B&P: Breakfast Place where Bacon is made Perfect!!!

February 6, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Somebody said that home is where the heart is... Maybe we could also say that it is where the tummy is happy. My tummy to be exact!@! LOL!


One traffic filled Saturday, going left and right on Edsa.. with me on the road for almost 1 and a half hour (DO NOT TAKE EDSA on a weekend!!!) definitely made my tummy growl!!!!
...Michy of I am dekaphobic and I met up just outside of a simple looking restaurant.


Located just beside Project Pie (click) and in front of SNR Shaw, this restaurant seems full... and upon looking in... there was this whole table filled with bloggers left and right... Yep.. this is the place.
Kitchen as part of the Picture...
The vibe was that of being at home. Relaxing hues and playful decorations. Cheerful and funny conversations with friends. Although a little small inside, the place had an alfresco dinning out back. Seems to me, this is a good place to relax with good friends, put your feet up and eat up.

But before eating, quenching one's thirst is really important. So, I had a choice between Strawberry Lemon Quench (110Php) and Lemon Celery Pandan (110Php)... I chose the lemon flavored and it didn't disappoint.
Served in an old school bottle with caps separate from the glass, it makes the flavors marinate and really stay in there. Asim!
Another wonderful revelation would be the sago like pearls at the bottom of the drinks. No they weren't pearls, they were "bopa" (I hope I got it right..), These little spherical genius of a drink invention pops! They aren't chewy like the normal pearls/tapioca. On each bite, and they explode. They are filled with liquid surprise!!! Don't miss ordering them up!!!

For starters:

We started with Creole Style Eggs (290Php)

Here we have 2 poached eggs topped with beef patty, melted swiss cheese and rich spicy buttermilk cream sauce. It was the sauce that won me over. It is great and goes with everything.

Salmon Hash and Eggs (290Php)
Fresh salmon, sauteed with garlic, peppers, onions and served with fries. The salmon was flavorful and fresh. I would have wanted it to have some more of it... I love the fries.. and I love the runny eggs. What I love doing more is dipping the fries on the egg yolk..deadly!

Another dish that would get you start your day would be the Mother's Inspiration (175Php)
Sausage, ham, mesquite chicken, capsicum, mushroom, olives and cheddar cheese. Mix them all up and bam!!!

As a breakfast all day place... they have some awesome rice meals that would rock your world...

and this Don Malutong (275Php) really did!!!
Damn crunchy belly !!! BACON reinvented to make you drool. Crunchy and awesome! Definitely made perfect!!! Kinda like the barcino strips of Recovery Food (click).

Another Filipino staple served would be the Primera Tapa (280Php)
Tapa marinated right and not on the sweet side.

Another variant of this would be the Salpy Cow (290Php)
Garlic goodness...

Now, we went on over to the big boys....
The baby back ribs (390Php) was everything and anything I want.
It was huge, soft and tender. Its good for 2-3 persons. Lovely and OMG! Ang sawaaaaaap!!

Another heavy dish would be the B&P Chick to Chick (425Php)
Deep fried chicken with buttermilk batter. Crunchy and crispy. Served with french toast, but we had a pancake instead. The chicken meat was juicy and wasn't dry. The gravy goes well with the chicken.

And if you are up for something light, they even serve something for merienda or snack.
The baked mac (190Php) was all cheese goodness!! Definitely yumyum!!!
It is Bolognese, bechamel and cheese sauce... Cheesy cheesy cheesy!!!

Now for the healthy buffs out there, they have a menu any healthy guy or girl would love and yes they also serve a bunch of omelettes .

And since I am not into healthy stuff.. I kinda went to another place when these were served. HEHEHE!
The baxter (175Php) made with grilled onions, spinach, mushroom and avocado. 
And for the really health nutt, they have the zumba (265Php)
Three egg whites scrambled with 1/2 cup white mushroom, steamed spinach, and a tbsp of goat cheese and some tomatoes... Too healthy for me... ack! LOL!

For desserts... one would smile.... and say PANCAKES!!!!

One of their specialty would be the Triple decker. (220Php)
The whipped cream and the nutella on the side...
Three layers of pancakes with nutella, fresh banana and caramel with whipped cream on top. The pancakes were fluffy and soft. They were better than IHOP in my honest opinion. The syrup used wasn't too sweet and just right. According to the chef, they make the batter fresh daily and it takes awhile for them to get them serve because they like doing it fresh.

The next up would be the Pancake Supreme (210Php)
Five layers of pancake filled with strawberry, blueberry, banana, orange and mango. Served with whipped cream, butter and syrup. This behemoth of a dish is good for 4-5 persons! Literally! Damn Huge!!!
Get in my tummy!!

Offering affordable meals, this place would definitely go a long way. The serving sizes were huge and each dish could be shared. Also, in the coming weeks, they would offer digital menus. Although not a new concept, it would be fun that one would be able to order and choose from the offerings via digital media.
Thank you B&P for having us. We definitely enjoyed our stay and would go back.



B&P
7am-12mn Sunday-Thursday
7am-2am Friday-Saturday
Facebook
515 Shaw, 1550 Mandaluyong
(02) 631 3252


Disclaimer: Was invited to this event. Was the +1 of Michy.
Meal compliments of B&P. My opinions stated here are based on my experience.
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π Breakfast and Pies: 2nd Chances.

February 9, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Giving 2nd chances. I believe in it. Who wouldn't? 
Taken from http://e-devotion.blogspot.com/2011/07/giving-2nd-chances.html
A few months ago a small breakfast place opened up in the buy food area near UP. I had visited visited it a couple of times like here: click . The first was awesome. A couple of weeks later not so. 

Fast forward to the present, I figured why not give it another try.

C, part of the runaway trio (click), came home from SG for a couple of weeks vacation in Boracay. I got her from the airport early in the morning and had chika chika all throughout the ride back north. SHE WAS SUPER PAYAT!!! HAGGARD LOOK! ANO NGYARI!!!!>???  We picked up K for a little breakfast reunion too. When I saw her, she was also a little thinner than before!! I mean ... mas lalo silang pumayat... ANO NGYARI SA INYO?!?! SERYOSO! So I figured.. we need to eat a lot! LOL! And since we didn't have a lot of time (and we were super hungry...), we opted to just have one near.

Started with some milk cereals (145Php). We had the fruit loops as it was the only one available.
After a few times of visiting, they finally had one available early in the morning. It tasted what it should be. Milk and fruit loops! Great for mornings.

After pushing C and K to order... (since they know I love ordering a lot..), C chose the Kitayama Wagyu Beef Sirloin Tapa (225Php).
 She loved and finished it. 

K got their The Banana Nutella Cream Cheese Waffles (145Php). Crunchy exterior. Soft inside.

Now, I wanted to let them try the lot and I want them to be healthy!!! So I ordered a π platter  (625Php)
 Loved the fries and the corned beef. Only problem was the corned beef had a lot of fats and less on the beef itself. Didn't also like the sausages' garlicky and dry flavor. Maybe they could change the sausage to spam instead. C liked the bacon as it was crunchy and filling. Stayed away from the veggies.

 And of course their specialty, the caramelized spam (245Php).
C and K liked the sweet flavor. Fortunately, unlike last time, the egg was runny inside. Perfectly cooked. WHEW!!! Thank you Lord!

Even after telling me that we I ordered a lot , we still managed to finish the dishes. See? Tama lang ang inorder ko! Bwahahaha!


Unlike my other visit, the food seemed better now and served faster. Better outcome too. Service was excellent. Although compared to my previous visit of a rushed, jam packed early morning Saturday, this time we were there on a relaxed non peak breakfast service. Hope they could sustain this even at peak hours.

 More over than this 2nd chance, it was totally awesome to see my 2 girl friends again. 
K and C.
Okay.. this pic was taken around a year ago more or less.. and I can't help but say that they were more sexier back then.. kasi pumayat sila ngayon!!! bwhahahahah! Di bagay..~!! Peace guys.. you know how much I love you! LOL!



π Breakfast place
Opens at 7am
Besides Pino and Pipino (same owners)
Maginhawa Area (Teacher's Village)
Quezon City
Parking is a hassle during Peak Hours
 
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Primero Casa Filipino: Not Your Ordinary Filipino Buffet in Tomas Morato

February 11, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Nope it wasn't the flowers that got my attention... It was the perfect ratio of meat to fat to crunchy exterior....

One Saturday lunch, I was invited by Michy, (I am dekaphobic) to go with her to a buffet... and when I heard buffet... my tummy instantly said yes. You see, when it comes to buffet... it spells one thing... DIET, rather.. SEE-FOOD DIET!
Nestled in a residential area near Tomas Morato, Primero Casa Filipino is your neighborhood buffet establishment. Unlike most restaurant in the area, this one has a huge parking space, lovely nature filled facade and is transformed from an ancestral home. 

The place had a huge seating capacity and the place was jam packed that Saturday. A huge crowd poured in at around 12. Definitely a good place to host a party or something like a post event for a lot of friends and coworkers.

After waiting for Michy to arrive..we were able to get tables on the 2nd floor just because the place was full!
We were with fellow foodies. Allen and his girlfriend that day and it was a joy to share a meal with them.

We were served with  Malunggay Shake (78Php).

Yeah you read that right... MALUNGGAY!!! Damn! Believe me when I say that it is awesome. It really was good. Made with honey, and I taste some pineapple in it.. Not sure but it was awesome... It wasn't that sweet either. It has no veggie flavor whatsoever.

Now here comes the different treats that I took note of....there were a lot of other things on the spread but... I guess these made impact on me... I know.. shallow me. LOL!

For Appetizers:
A slice of ham with some spread on top of toasted bread. Simple and yummy... same goes with the next one.
Sisig in wanton wrappers. These were spicy and crunchy. A good beer match.

And the Mains:

Chili Crabs. They served huge crabs with lots of legs to open up. The sauce was okay but the meat availability was there.

Oxtripe Kare-Kare... If you know me, I love Kare-Kare and yes I could eat it everyday. This definitely made me smile...The sauce wasn't watered down and they served a looooooot of oxtripe... YUMMY!

Would have went back and forth and back and forth the buffet table if I wasn't with fellow foodies. LOL!

And yes.., they also got a little carving station.

The roasted angus beef was a surprise. I was thinking that it would be dry and chewy but believe me it wasn't. The meat is soft and flavorful. This made the buffet alone sulit.
Remember the picture up top? It was the caprichon. It was like lechon kawali but definitely less oily and the meat is there and appropriate with the fat. Not to mention that the skin was crunchy!
Got a sweet tooth? Desserts:

 Palitaw or sticky rice.
and some assorted cakes and fruits
but what I liked was the soft served ice cream they had.
EPIC FAIL! I know right? I couldn't make it swirl... Waaa!

Let me just discuss the ANATOMY of my BUFFET PLATE...
Although I only have one to show you....
The 50-50.
50% carbo and 50% Meat! This has got to be my favorite. Don't ever go to a buffet and not get what you want! LOL!
and yes.. go get a 2nd plate.. this time go for the things that you liked.

Honestly speaking, I was surprised with the quality and the offerings of the buffet based on the price range it was in. The food was generally made for the Filipino taste buds.The service was great and we were well taken cared off even if the place was full. The food was replenished as soon as it was almost out. No waiting time for refills. This could be a good alternative buffet place if you are looking for something homey and well within budget. 

Thank you very much Primero Casa Filipino and Ms. Gero for having us.


Primero Casa Filipino
26 Scout Torillo St., Sacred Heart, Quezon City 
(02) 9212448

Buffet Price:
Monday- Thursday 398Php 
Friday-Sunday 498Php
They also offer packages for events.
P.S. Believe it or not, their cocktails only cost around 98Php and yes they have a bar area and happy hour!
Disclaimer: Was invited to this event. Opinions here are mine.
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Les Bagels: Breakfast in a Bite.

February 13, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Back at my Happy Place....
 Yes... carbs carbs makes me happy... and fresh bread makes me jump with joy...


On a leisure Thursday morning , I had the opportunity of eating breakfast with a friend. It wasn't really a date.. or maybe it was.. I didn't know so what the heck... we went on over here just to get our fill.. and enjoy ourselves. Since I was craving and even if I went here a number of times (click) but really didn't stay and eat. So what the heck... I had her try the place out.
Playing around...
The place didn't change a bit. Still small with a few seats on their 2nd floor and a couple of tables outside.

Ordered from the counter and got these babies:

1st up Blimpie
The veggies were fresh and the chicken meat was proper and cooked fine. I just didn't like the bread that much. Maybe I should have asked them to do it on a bagel since this is a bagel shop! LOL!
The Bialy with LOX.
I could have this for breakfast everyday. The lox was amazing and the caramelized onions helped it out.

They also have an awesome dessert menu.
I got some pineapple turnover as a present for my mom..and my tummy!
Soft in the center and crunchy and caramelized on the exterior. The pineapple was sweet and yummy! Bought two of these babies just so my mom won't get in a fight with my tummy.

I never ever get tired of bagels and of LES. Budget around 200 php/ person. Not bad in this part of the city. Tip: Get some bagels and a spread separately and have it split with your friends.

LES BAGELS
Tuscany Residences, Upper McKinley Road, McKinely Hill
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Disclaimer: Paid for our meals and posted my own opinion.
P.S. Here are some of the interesting restaurants that would open in Tuscany.

A Breakfast store...


Detoxify Bar.. for all your veggie needs. OMG!

Bag O Shrimps... Its already Feb and it still hasn't opened yet. I hope it opens up soon.

A burger place.. woooo tempting! Please Please open now na!!

Can't wait for them to open so we could try up their dishes.
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Cafe Ilang-Ilang: My Go To Buffet...

February 16, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Although I have been to Manila Hotel a number of times, I am always at awe when I see the lobby of The Manila Hotel.


And I am back... After a year or so of not returning to Manila Hotel, I finally found my family and I celebrating Chinese New Year a little late with their Sunday Brunch at Cafe Ilang-Ilang.

Pardon this post as it would be a little picture-food heavy... You have been warned....Drool at your own risk...
Anyway, wouldn't you know it, we had the exact same seats as the last time we went there.. kinda of cool... LOL! I can't say a lot about the buffet but their Sunday Brunch is the bomb! Juices, coffee and tea were complimentary. The quality and the quantity is awesome. Of course not as huge as Spirals but good enough... The wait staff was quick and efficient. The chefs, stationed around the place, were very engaging, helpful and offered all the good stuff. They weren't hiding any... Would I go back? Definitely.. now my only problem is who would I drag to go to this place that would eat and have a blackhole appetite as I do... Damn!! Craving Mode On!!! Again!
Well enough with the chit chat... here's the food porn:

Let's start with some cheese... 
 Cured Ham
and other stuff that came with it...
and its the same place where you can have them make your own pasta..
and some pizza of course...
if kids won't like pasta and pizza... they even served some hotdogs for them... yeah you read that right... hotdogs
and some burger and fries...
and my favorite part of the buffet.. would be the Japanese food...
Lovely tempurasssss...
and sushis...and soba...
and the stuff that you would need to eat them properly..
you could also ask them to make you some noodle soup...
and they offer an assortment of dimsum... (and they have some peking duck wraps too..)
and they have a korean station too...
and some halal food...
and Indian food...
 and some thai too...
and one of my favorite... a shawarma station...
Of course, it won't be brunch if there aren't any breakfast food around.. right???
French Toast
Eggs Benedict..
that has runny egss...
scotch eggs..... nope these eggs don't have alcohol in them...
crunchy bacon and hash browns... YUMMMYYY
sausages and adobo...
Fish
and some stuff from the carving station won't hurt right???
Lechon
ribs...
 and other meats...
side dishes for them...
some seafood...to balance all the meat out..
oysterssss.. i like them plain...
okay.. for all you healthy eaters.. they also have some... hors d'oeuvres
and make your own salad...
of course.. don't go there without trying their Thai Ice Tea.. it was so refreshing ...!!!
and to end the meal.. go for the huge dessert station...
Pudding and Tikoy...(it was Chinese New Year after all...)
make your own crepe
and more ...
The mango and sago is a main stay... because it is awesome.. not too sweet and just right..
tarts..
and some candies for the kiddos..
 
Drooling yet? Well I am... so here are SOME of what I got..... with the type of buffet plates one should always have!!!!.. they are...

The Healthy.... were it makes you say... it's okay since its veggies...
Japanese-enough said...sushis and sashimis..
Seafood... Oysters...just because you miss the beach..
Breakfast Plate... because you didn't eat breakfast just to get prepared for the buffet...
Carvings!!!- .... Steaks and yes gets some shawarma in there...just so you can protein load..
Chinese.... because dimsum and pecking wraps are awesome...
and.. save some for dessert.... because you can never go wrong with a sweet ending..
After all is said (and eaten), there is only one way to go.. its to get a cup of coffee or a pot of tea.. to let all the good stuff go down the drain...


Cafe Ilang-Ilang
G/F
Manila Hotel
Roxas Blvd, Manila City.
(02) 527 0011

Disclaimer: paid for our food. posted this based on my own opinion..

and check this out... bring your grandparents so you can have a great time with them too...

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Welcome Back: Del Monte Kitchenomics

February 17, 2014, 11:40 pm
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If there was one cook show that I would remember growing up, it would be Del Monte Kitchenomics. 
 After a long long time, it now evolved into an all around, budget friendly and easy to follow show that caters to the everyday mom. 
 And yes my mom also subscribe to their quick and easy to make recipe mini cook book.
Better now because they went digital and even published a top 100 just for those none techie. 

A few hours ago, I was able to attend their blogger conference and was quite amazed at how simple and straight forward their approach to the Filipino household is. Their aim is to please the consumer and allow them to have a wonderful  meal and not go over the budget. 
Invite from GMA-7
For the newest season of the show, it would be up to Ms. Carla Abellana and Chef Jackie Ang Po to make twist and turns to the normal and boring dishes. Even better, it would be light to the pocket but heavy to the tummy.
These brand ambassadors fit the bill perfectly. Ms. Carla Abellana loves to cook for her love ones. She has the eagerness to get a good grip in learning the ins and outs in the kitchen. The situation is perfect since she has a great cooking partner in Chef jackie Ang Po. 
Chef Jackie Ang Po of Fleur De Lys fame definitely knows her way around the kitchen. Her quirky and fun attitude towards cooking makes the show a must watch. 

 They were even able to let us try some of their dishes made from Del Monte Products. 
Kaldereta made with Del Monte Original Style Tomato Sauce
Fiesta float made with Del Monte Fiesta Fruit Cocktail.
 and of course we needed something to drink... 
 Their 4 seasons juice drink hits the spot.

The fact that the show puts emphasis on budget, audience and taste, would definitely make it a success. Aside from these, they also gather the insights of their fans in terms of what they want and their preferences and mold their future recipes towards these. Speaking of budget and preferences, did you know that they offer recipes that would cost around 100 Php and could feed a family of 5. 
WOAH right? I didn't really believe it when I first heard it and had to ask my seatmate if I heard it right. LOL! If you want to know more on this, I suggest you like their facebook page (click) for their updates and check out their website (click) too so you can get recipes quick and fast. 
The new seasons starts tomorrow (2/19/14) just before Eat Bulaga at GMA 7. Don't miss it.

Thank you very much to Del Monte Kitchenomics and GMA 7 for having us.


Del Monte Kitchenomics
Recipe for a Better Life
Wednesday and Saturdays
Before Eat Bulaga
Sundays
Before Sunday All Stars


Dislcaimer: Sponsored Post.
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Beijing Foot Spa : Massage My Feet!!!

February 18, 2014, 4:10 pm
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oohhhhhh you know you got it good when you have a lazy boyish massage chair with a personal cable tv...
Foot Spa is love. I can't help but say it! It is awesome! You can never get too old or young for something like this.

After our buffet lunch, Michy (I am Dekaphobic) and I, out of the blue, went on over to have a dose of relaxation. She has never been to this kind of Spa so I popped her cherry and we had a little RnR!

The place is straight forward. It had rooms for couples, triples and even multiples. LOL! What I meant was if you are with a bunch of friends or family or with a date , no worries, they can accommodate you and give you a private room with no extra charge. Cool Right? Anyway, after choosing our massage, we were whisked away to our small sanctuary.

As it was a little over their opening time, the place wasn't packed yet. We were able to snatch a private room for two. Lucky right?
We were served some drinks. I had the iced tea (too sweet!should have chose the coffee or hot tea)
After changing into more comfortable clothes, our therapists went on in and brought warm herbal foot bath...
While our feet were getting soaked up, the therapist was doing wonders with my head and arms... 
Afterwards we had our feet done and our backs... I won't go into details but they had it methodically done and were perfect in every stroke. They also had these heated bags to put on your back and nape... and I fell asleep!!! Hahahaha!!!... and yes I won't say who my therapist was because she will be my regular. LOL!

I know she will kill me but I took a snap of her rinsing in pain. LOL! bwhahahha Hala Michy.. Okay ka pa ba dyan? LOL!
The therapists were kind and professional. No hanky panky here! They always asked about the pressure and if we needed anything. For the price, it was worth it. Although there are other places that offer 300Php whole body massages, I would definitely still go here as I really enjoy their massage.


Beijing Foot Spa
3rd floor
Ill Terazzo, Tomas Morato
Quezon City.
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Cafe Shibuya: Love Your Toasts

February 20, 2014, 4:10 pm
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They forgot to put in SNACK!!!! but these are my favorite times of the day...

After a relaxing massage in Beijing Foot Spa (click), Michy (I am dekaphobic) and I went on over to UP TOWN CENTER for a little snack. Scratch that... A HUGE SNACK! ....



The sun was hurting us on our way from the parking lot to this store. It was late in the afternoon, yet it was pretty hot. Once we entered the place, I knew, we got it right. The A/C was blowing everything it got so the temperature is really relaxing. A little refuge from the heat. The place isn't that big. A few tables and chairs would only offer seats to around 50-60 Max. Thinking of the time and the number of people in the store, I figured it was all worth it and we were in for a treat since the place was almost full. 


The service was quick and efficient too. Although there were only 2-3 servers roaming the place, we were served timely and all our needs were met. Anyway on to our light heavy snack...




I will be honest. For drinks, I couldn't remember which one is which. As both looks almost exactly the same, I just remembered the taste. 

The triple dark chocolate (165Php) is for those Hershey lovers that always pick the dark chocolate. It isn't sweet and has that bitter taste that pure cocoa has. Pure love in a glass...



The other drink is the below zero chocolate (155Php). It is what any kid at heart (and at tummy) would love. It isn't too sweet and has that neutral chocolatey taste. Quite enjoyable for this upcoming summer heat!



And off we go to our snacks... the nutella....(195/245Php)
Looks like any normal bread with some sweet stuff on top.... WRONG!! It ain't normal for starters!
Aside from the nutella, it has a scoop of ice cream and some almonds... and check out the insides....
The inside is soft and smothered with butter! While it has a crunchy exterior, the inside is a surprise treat for everyone!
Next one up is the mango caramel (185/235Php)
Aside from the sweet mangoes, this had some graham crumbs and of course the ice cream...

Last up for this bread session would be the All American PB&J (195/245Php).
Old school favorite of every grade school kid. Peanut butter and strawberry jam! AMEN~!

Aside from all the sweet stuff, they also offer savory versions and even pasta and other appetizers.. something for everyone.
What I also liked about the place was that they used quirky messages for design all over the resto.
Yes... there is always room for dessert...
Simple things makes me smile too...
and
almost true... LOL!

Cafe Shibuya
G/F Up Town Center
Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Opens at 10am
Disclaimer: Paid for our meal. Wrote this based on my own opinion.

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Lola Cafe: My Lonely but Busog Valentine

February 23, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Wouldn't it be nice if every single guy had a date last Vday? Or maybe every V day?


Well.. Yeah as for me... I did sort of... My family. LOL!

Singleness strikes again.
Good thing we ate at nice quiet resto just off Tomas Morato...
At least Julia Child had it right
Been here a couple of times before with good old friends..... This time I was here with my family... So when would the time come when I would go here with a date ??? Hayyy.. LOL... at least I can go on eating and be busog...No manners to watch over. LOL

The place was pretty full. Its basically a house turned into a resto. They got a whole lot for parking and had valet too. The whole inside got reservations and so we ate al fresco.. wouldn't you know it.. it was my dad's first time to eat outside... Him being maarte and all.. LOL!
Anyway started the night with some mocktails. 
Tosca (120Php)

It was made with ginger, lime soda and apple juice
Next up is the Rio (120Php)

Made with mint leaves, grapefruit and soda. Since I had an affinity to grapfruits, I liked this very much.
I also went on ahead and tried one of their cocktails. A california dream (195Php)
Vodka, Amaretto, orange and apple juice.  It was a little too strong for me.

For starters we had a couple of dishes that would really whet your appetite. LOL!
We went off with pesto fries (220Php)
Although the serving was on the small side, I definitely loved this! Gone in 60 seconds.

Dad keeps on ordering fish and chips (220PHP) every time we would go out. So naturally he ordered one.

Made with beer batter, this was crunchy and suprisingly better than other fish and chip resto.
I also ordered tartufo pasta (260Php).
Basically, their take on carbonara with truffle and mushroom involved. 

For mains we had a loooot. See!!! I wanted to be busog and not mind a single lonely heart...
 We had the beef salpicao (320Php) first.
The meat was perfectly cooked and yet it was amazingly soft and tender. This dish was wiped out instantely!
Since I looooove kare kare (350Php), I ordered one too.
Everything I wanted and more was in it. The kare-kare wasn't diluted and definitely yummy. It was great for carbo loading... which apparently I am doing everyday.. (damn see food diet! LOL)
My little bro had ordered Rosemary Chicken (360Php).
The 1/2 chicken was "herby" according to my bro. The meat wasn't dry and definitely good for two already! Just add another rice. The meat was also well seasoned and proper for a growing kid.
He also had ordered crispy tofu squares (180Php).

This didn't taste like tofu at all. It had a sort of chicken nugget feel to it. It wasn't that oily and the oyster sauce made it a dish any non vegetarian would love to eat!
Mom, on the other hand, tried out their tapa benedict (350Php).
I must say that she enjoyed it tremendously. Although the tapa underneath was a little sweet, everything else was perfect. The egg wasn't over cooked and as such the yolk was runny... YUMMM!!!

In case you wouldn't believe me, I took a picture of it. THAT my friend is how an egg should be!!!

The service was excellent even if we were seated at the far end of the al fresco section and even if the resto was full. The food was quick and properly served. The food price are fair to say the least. I mean, where can you get a proper dish in the Tomas Morato area for around 200-300 bucks? Not to mention that the food tasted great!....


Lola Cafe+Bar
Somewhere near Tomas Morato,
Its a secret. Quezon City.
Okay fine its : 99 Scout Lozano Near Scout Tuazon
(somewhere in the vicinity of a comedy bar and a crab resto) 501 2620


Paid four our meals, Wrote this post based on my experience.

Thanks Bro for helping me take the food shots. 
Money well spent!!!!
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Mornings at The Lounge: New World Hotel.

February 25, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Huge spacious lobby.
One sleepless morning, I found myself in a hotel in the middle of Makati... (eeeek Makati!). To think, I went to Makati alone and I drove there. Must be something special as I said before, I never did like going here especially if I am alone and driving my other car.. eeeeeek!



It was a Tuesday morning, I found myself crawling all the way to Makati and having no sleep makes me really groggy. I saw myself taking a chance and making a giant leap. 

You see a couple of days before that, I was asked to go to a meeting with potential future employers. I wasn't expecting an interview that quick since I was slated for an April Job Fair. But since I wanted and needed something more than my present status in life, I told myself to go for it. I wasn't going to loose anything. They were going to pay for everything if I got a job offer. I won't even need to shell out any expense. They will take care of everything. From immigration to airfare to allowances and reimbursements. Sound cool right? Well I don't have anything to loose so I went there and gave it a shot. I mean there was only a day or two to prepare but what the heck. No pain no gain....
Fast forward to the day itself....
Cozy Mad Men vibe...
I was an hour early, I went in and had breakfast on my own. I wasn't really into a buffet so I chose to eat in their lounge. 
The place has more of a Mad Men vibe. Old school 70-80's feel was the kind the lounge was giving away. 
Anyway, all I wanted was coffee, but since I saw their menu, I knew I had to try out something more... 
(and I didn't have breakfast righhht???)

So I went with their continental breakfast.  You get to pick 3 out of a possible 5 selections.
I first got their muesli.
 It was wet and oaty and yummy ! I loved the bits of raisins and nuts.Healthy breakfast !!!
The next part of it was a bread selection.
 The croissant was disastrously dry and hard. Needless to say, I skipped the rest of this bread basket.
 and lastly a home made mango orange yogurt.
No bits just flavor
 The service of the staff was there since I was the only one in the lounge. The price was normally high as it was in a hotel. Everything was good except for the bread basket. I think I should have asked them to change it as it was epicly dry and well not for the bread lover.

And as for what happened with my job interview... well.... just wait for my future posts... LOL





 The Lounge at the New World Hotel
G/F Lobby New World Hotel
Makati City.

 Dislcaimer: Paid for my meals. Wrote this based on my own experience.

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Cafe 1228: Of Good News and Great Lunch.

February 27, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Coming off from a so-so breakfast at The Lounge (click), I went to the job interview with guns blazing (hopefully). I think. LOL! Honestly though, I didn't know how I fared. I had no sleep so I was a little messed up! Who wouldn't be right? 

  The interview process was somewhat different from the usual we have in companies based in Manila. It was somewhat fast paced and yet introduced group dynamics with individualism. At first, we were in a batch that talked about different things that might be a hindrance in our eventual migration for work. We were placed in front of a pair of high ranking personnel that covers the whole country we were aiming for... One was the head for human resources and talent acquisition while the other was the head of operations for the entire country. Usually, it would have been a regional director and the like but damn! Furthermore, we were asked certain things from managerial level decision making to proper work ethics and so on. After such, we were asked to have individual interviews that show cased our grasp on a specific situation. All the way from the theoretical to the actual way of dealing. Needless to say... 

 Nose bleed! Galore!   

Anyway fast forward to the food... This is a food post diba???

So, went on in and dig in.... I did!!! Stress eating!!
You know you are in a treat when you see their head chef getting hands on at the past station...
Of course, went on ahead to the grilling area! Where you can get your steaks, lambs and other fresh seafood done anyway you like them.
I had a lamb.. :D cooked the way I liked it.
Also had some these crawlers...


 and some oysters too...
 They also served some roasted chicken and some other roasted meats for their carving station...
 I skipped the other pizzas and dishes...
 I went straight for the Japanese area after the grill.
 It is always a good sign when you see them making fresh tempura...
and some other sushi's too...
 For the Chinese lovers, they also offer make your own noodle soup, dimsum and other dishes.
 What would a buffet be without cheese and bread... (I skipped the salads.. hehehe..)
 Aside from all of these, they still had a Filipino Section, some Indian Cuisine and other Mediterranean Dishes..
For dessert, there were a lot of choices (but not like Spirals.. duh...) They offered the usuals from crepes, to ice cream and different sweet goodness! What I liked was that the dessert chefs were really engaging and suggested what to get and what are the winners.
 Dessert Fruit sushis...
 Home made Chocolates.
 Cheese cakes
 brownies

My plates:
Fresh and suprisingly good.

I got lamb since it was my favorite meat.. cooked right! Not tough...

Make your own noodles.


Fresh baked oysters... Lovely

Some sweets that I fancy.
The place is definitely a place to relax and chill. The place isn't as big as Cafe Ilang-Ilang (click) but could be a competitor in the busy City of Makati. If you are in Makati, this could be worthy of a visit. For the price, it was all right and worth it. Noting that it was a weekday and the place was full, made me think that yes it is a good place to get a good meal. The service was excellent. The chefs were engaging and rather helpful in the choices you will make. They tell you whats good as they should.

Now back to my story, short version, I was a little nervous and quite flimsy as I hadn't had sleep for almost 24 hours... and yet with God's graces, I got in. Whew! Now all that's left is to complete my list of requirements, wait... and see how it goes. Nothing to lose and everything to gain. Signed the contract..and now the waiting begins.. Thank you Lord for the graces and the blessings. AMDG.


Cafe 1228
G/F New World Hotel, Makati
Buffet Restaurant. 

Disclaimer: The meal was courtesy of my future employers (naks) and the post is based on my own opinion.
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My Manila Hotel Tour.. Exceeding Expectations

March 2, 2014, 4:10 pm
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And I am back...... Within a week's time I found myself in The Manila Hotel again. 

I had the privilege of going to a one of a kind tour inside the historical Manila Hotel.

Historical well because it was the only 5 star hotel from history that withstood bloody wars and is still up and running in Manila. With over 500 rooms, this place was opened on July 4, 1912 and served a lot of world leaders and not to mention international celebrities.

Since I was a bit early, I went around and saw some beautiful ladies. I actually thought that they were going to some kind of party.
Wouldn't you know it, they're in fact part of the guest services of the hotel. From what I gathered, its all part of the theatrical way of serving the hotel's patron. And yes, these costumes change daily.

Nadale kami ni Sir Gerry... Hahahaha!!! Fun Times
When I returned, I was surprised to see no  less than one of their head honcho, Denise Tambuatco, Senior Vice President-Marketing, facilitating the briefing. Afterwards, the participants were led to the different places around the hotel. From the famous MacArthur Suite to my favorite Cafe Ilang Ilang (click)



One of the highlights of the tour would have to be this suite right here:

Anyway what made me giddy inside was the MacArthur Suite. When I learned that we will be visiting this 3,300 USD a night suite (aray!), I was totally jumping inside with joy. It was definitely the most iconic suite along Manila Bay. Located on the 5th floor but only a fraction of what it was, it not only housed the great general's family for a few years but also had a lot more history in it. 
The living room...
The dinning area with authentic replicas of the general's medals - donated by no less than the Mrs.
 The study... with the only two relics / authentic pieces that came from the period of the general's stay...

 See the shrapnel damage? Its made of narra so it withstood everything.
 and another receiving area to the bedroom...
 Even if it looks old school, they definitely had present day upgrades... from ipod docks to 3D Flat screens.
1 TV of 3 found in the suite. But I believe this is the only 3D version.
We were also ushered to their honeymoon suite. A room with another massive floor area second only to the MacArthur Suite, this is great for couples wanting to spend some alone time watching the sunset...

Upon entering, you get to see a living room.
 and of course they had a bedroom..
 Aside from the rooms here, there is also a spiral staircase that leads to the second floor which houses a dining table and another receiving area. 

 Enough of the rooms and onto the restaurants!!!

There are actually 3 "real" restos in the hotel. The first one would be the Champagne Room.

This French themed restaurant has been a host to a lot of dignitaries. From diplomats to heads of states.

When you enter, you can't help but be transported to those times where everything is so fine and so formal.
 A little trivia: one of the sides of the restaurant is made of bullet proof glass.

For the Chinese Food lovers, one can't help but be drawn to Mabuhay Palace.
This is not your ordinary Chinese Restaurant as it houses Jade Panels that depict Confucius' story and teachings. (I hope I got it right! LOL!) And yes they have private rooms too!
This Matrix like hallway leads to their private rooms.

Last but not the least, we were led to Cafe Ilang-Ilang (click)
Their go to buffet restaurant, Cafe Ilang-Ilang took over the floor space of Cowrie Grill (now reincarnated in Greenhills but still under the hotel's management - Click ) when it was renovated a few years back...

We toured around it and everything feels so YUMMY! Kahit naba I just ate here a couple of weeks back (click)! Palibhasa gutom na kaming lahat!! LOL! so you know what they did?? They made us wait for the food still by having us make our own pizza!!! Torture!!!
I was one of the lucky few that were chosen to make a Manila Hotel Signature Pizza...!!! Dangnamit!! I wanted to eat pizza not make it! LOL! In any case, I had one hell of a time designing it. I know I know.. I am no chef.. so please forgive my creation but heck.. let me tell you.. it was yummy!!
Chorizo, mozzarella, olives, kesong puti, and herb mix.
Yeah... I am proud like that!

After playing with myself... I mean playing chef (I rather be the pizza eater not the maker!!!) , we were led to the bay and watched the sunset to chit chat and enjoy everyone's company.... Some hors d'oeuvres were served.. and of course the pizza we made were also devoured... Needless to say, it was Gerry's of dudeforfood (click) that was attacked and gone in 60 seconds! AWESOME!

What a way to end the tour.
And with everything that has happened.. I can't help but quote this: 
Thank you very much to Manila Hotel for having us and for allowing us to roam your halls...
Head on over the the facebook page of Manila Hotel (Facebook), they are opening up the tour for everyone.. well as long as they could accommodate you so don't miss this chance!! 




The Manila Hotel
Manila City
Disclaimer: I was invited to this Tour by Manila Hotel.
This post is based on my own opinion.
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Tampopo and Munchtown and Skinny Mike's : Keeping Good Memories and Just Letting Things Flow.

March 3, 2014, 4:10 pm
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 It started with a friendly movie date and went on a roll...but....now...
I am heartbroken.  To say the least, it pains me that I have this situation with another person who I taught was and still is a friend. I mean once is okay. Twice is on the border but thrice.. Gosh and all in the span of a week... I have never been so insulted in my life. Below the belt. Grabe. Forgive my drama-food post but I just had to let it all out because it is eating me inside out.


I guess what is worst is that I always see this person almost everyday and it pains me to remember what she did. Even my family, friends, and past relationships never ever did something like that to me. I am not angry at her. Heck I like her and I always try to be patient with her. I always tolerate her seemingly childish ways.
  I am just angry at the THINGS she did and said. I guess she doesn't understand what she did wrong and believes that the ends justify the means. I guess she didn't understand and doesn't know that sometimes the manner as to which you show concern is important and must not be in an insulting way. Sadly, it didn't go out right and the "result" wasn't what she wanted. I guess she didn't think things through and prepared for the consequences of what she said and did. I am just hoping everything turns back to normal. I guess that is all I can pray for. God Bless her. 
Enough of the drama... and on to the good memories... that is what I think I must write and aim to remember.. Good Memories.

One Saturday night, I picked her up at Shangrila for a movie date in Greenhills. Believe it or not, she has never been to Shangrila nor has she been to Greenhills. She hails from a far away land down south and has been in the metro for a few years but focused on work and studies and thus she has less social life, I guess and is more of a homebody with McDonalds as the place to eat at when she finds the time to reward herself.....
 Anyway got to Greenhills from Shangrila in record traffic time,  I wanted to try out Katsu Sora but I picked her up late because she left late and the traffic didn't help so the place was full and yes we were LATE!
Ended up with another Japanese Resto worthy of a visit. Tampopo.
It fits her request of trying out sake. So, after waiting for a vacant table, we had a bottle of Nama Sake (420Php)
We asked it to be served cold.. although warm/hot would also hit the spot.
She never tried had alcohol before, and wanted to give sake a go. I asked her if she was actually willing to drink with me. She said yes. She was at ease. All right, I just warned her as it might kick her as it was her first time taking some in. Plus the fact that she might not finish it. She described it as "lambanog" in smell but for me it wasn't. It had a weak punch compared to tequila and tasted pure and simple. But it still made her woozy.

When I asked the waiter, he suggested some appetizers. So I got some Sui Gyoza (150Php) for us to try.
 They have two options here. Either fried or steamed. Tasted normal for me. The skin was a little thin. Tasted all right. Not that good nor that bad.
 Since they served ramen, I asked for Black Pig Shabu Ramen (390Php)
 The noodles were firm. The broth was milky and definitely delicious. I mixed the broth with the rice as it adds to the flavor. Yummy!
 Since she was a behemoth rice eater, she would never allow us to eat at a restaurant that doesn't serve rice. No rice means no meal for her. So, she got an order of Chicken Cutlet Set (340Php/230Php ala Carte)
 The chicken meat was tender and the serving was enormous. The breadcrumbs used from Hokkaido definitely differs from the one Yabu or other restaurant uses. I guess the texture and the taste preference would differs from person to person. It is like asking which do you prefer: a sunny side up or a scrambled egg.

On the other hand, I got the cheese layer cutlet set (460Php/ 350Php ala Carte)
 Although not that cheesy compared to Kimukatsu (click) , I enjoyed this dish.
 My only gripe was that the meat was not that enough. I mean thinking of the price difference of the chicken and this dish, one would assume that I would have a large quantity of cutlet. Unfortunately, I finished the set with just one bowl of rice. Damn!!! I think I should have went with another order. Don't get me wrong the taste is awesome and at par with the different katsu restaurants in the metro. It is just that it the quantity was lesser than what I had expected. It was bitin.
Since we ordered sets, we were served with fruits and miso soup and unlimited servings of rice and cabbage. One thing she and I both enjoyed was the watermelon. It was sweet and refreshing.
 and yes, they also had the usual dressings for the deep fried katsus and for the cabbage.

The service was great and fast. The wait staff were willing to please. The place is a little bit small. It could get cramped. If you are paying with a credit card, no worries about fraud because they do it right in front of you. They bring the card reader and they let you check if they entered the right amount. Also, for the froyo lovers out there, you could cross order from red mango. It seems they also own that.   
 After our meal, we were slated for a 10pm movie. Of course being the kind guy that I am. LOL! I foresaw that we would need refreshments and a snack. It was great to see that Munchtown opened up right beside the movie house. Although I wanted to taste a lot of things on the menu, we just settled for drinks and fries.
 A couple of Arizona Iced Tea (90Php ea)... It seems these has been the craze lately with their different flavors.
For snacks, we had their munchtown fries (195Php). They had different variations of fries to offer.
 Cheese, bacon, paprika and sour cream. It was pure heaven in my mouth. I loved it.
The staff was accommodating and definitely worth a second visit even if you are not going to watch a movie.

After the so-so movie ,which I wanted so badly to sleep through but she wouldn't let me,
(sadly I chose it because I didn't like what she wanted to watch.. sorry no Filipino comedy drama movie for me... unless if its Popoy and Basha )

 I asked her if she wanted to go somewhere else. I informed her that I wanted to drink some more.. (alcoholic is that you..), I asked her if she wanted to go home already so I could drop her off. She gave me the no nod and went with me to Skinny Mike's (click) in BGC to drink. I was actually hesitant and kept on asking her if she wanted to go home. Anyway, she didn't want to so okay fine...

Started the session, with a couple of vodka based drinks and some grubs.
She had the Marinara Chicken Melt (375Php)
 The cheese on top was just yummy! She devoured this. I don't know where she keeps her food stock but it doesn't show..It was good for 2-3.
I got the All Star Supreme (395Php).
Thin Crust pizza. Too much thin for me. She got this to go and gave it to her flatmates.

Service was all right and normal for any sports bar. This is definitely my go to drinking place in the fort. A little pricey but heck I can relax and sit back here and watch the night away.. 
Brought her back to her place safe and sound. A little woozy and yet everything went well until....
all the drama started....
More of the story? Or maybe not. LOL! Hopefully by the time this post goes up, everything is all right between us. If not well I guess I will just let things flow and hope for the best and keep the good memories.


Tampopo
G/F Promenade 3 Greenhills Shopping Center
San Juan City.

Munchtown
2nd Floor Promenade 3 Greenhills Shopping Center
San Juan City.

Skinny Mike's (open 24x7)
Somewhere near S&R and St Luke's Hospital
Bonifacio Global City

Disclaimer: I paid for our meals. All the opinions here are mine. Sorry for the drama but just needed a little outlet.

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