Birthday Celebrations @ C2

When my friend, E, went home from SG a few months ago, he wanted to treat us for his birthday and have some Filipino food for dinner. We agreed to go to C2 in Megamall this time =)

I believe C2 is always a good place if you want some nice Filipino food. It's contemporary, serves just-right portions and while they have the classics, they don't forget to give it a new twist so as not to tire you out.

That night, we had Chicharon Monggo at Crispy Paksiw. Mommy used to make them so well, so I kinda miss it. C2's version were yummy, and I love the added texture of the chicharon that came with it.

Chicharon Monggo at Crispy Paksi, Php310

We also had Seafood Inasal which had several seafoods in it. It was nice, but nothing too memorable, and I think it was quite expensive for its price.

Seafood Inasal, Php325

Dilis fried rice was my favorite that night. Just the right amount of dilis flavor to make the rice interesting; the dilis flavor was not taking the spotlight from the fried rice, which I liked very much.

Dilis fried rice, Php90

We also had Sisig Express (Php 275) that night, but I wasn't able to take pictures. It was good, nothing too special, but I like Sisig so I might order that again next time.

The very gracious staff of C2 Megamall gave us complimentary cake as my friend E was having his birthday that night. They gave us the resto's specialty dessert - Bibingka Souffle!

The stafff is as sweet and as Filipino in style as their dessert =)

I'd eat at C2 again anytime if I'd have cravings for some classic, contemporary Filipino food =)

A visit to the Salcedo Market

I've been wanting to go to the Salcedo Market for the loooongest time. Finally got to do it a few weekends back. As my tita, who I live with on weekdays, lives in the Makati area, I decided to walk the distance from her place to the Salcedo Market to get my much-needed exercise.

I agree with my Tita's observations, Salcedo's vendors are mostly elders showcasing family recipes while Mercato at the Fort has the young entrepreneurs crowd. Most products are organic and supposedly healthy, but you can find all sorts of things for sale there, like the Sushi selection below.

I really just intended to roam around and see what's it's all about, and I honestly did not expect to have my tummy filled with all the free tastes and samples they were giving out. Had my healthy and organic breakfast here. Haha! I only bought these Mint Chocolate Fudge Cookies which were sooo good =) Each cookie was moist, chewy, with chunky bits of chocolate mint which was sooo yummy! I intend to go back and buy again. One cookie costs me Php35.

I'd probably be back again sometime soon, I want those chocolate chip cookies again! =)

I want to...

...hold your hand.

Last Supper No.3

I just finished watching Last Supper No.3 from Cinema One tonight, and I just knew I had to write about the film.

The story was about Wilson, an Assistant Production Designer tasked to look for a Last Supper to be used as a backdrop in a Corned Beef commercial. After accidentally losing one of the 3 Last Suppers which were shortlisted, Wilson got in rough terms with the owners and this is where his arduous journey through our country's impossible Justice System begins. Calling it Justice System is wrong on so many levels already, haha. There's neither Justice nor System  in there, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The movie tackled on the country's depressing Justice System (if we can call it that), and how unsuspecting average citizen gets entangled in its ridiculous ways. In a comical way, Last Supper No.3 showed how red tape, corruption, ridiculous practices, this country's exclusive circumstances and the colorful personalities can drag on a simple case of losing the forsaken Last Supper No.3 to years and years of unnecessary due process. It started out really funny, but it later become difficult to watch, as you can't help but think, why is everything so complicated?! The sad part is, our country's justice system is complicated. It's actually like that in real life  - it will start out as funny and ridiculous, but later it's just plain ridiculous! With my short brush to this so called Justice System (and I intend and hope to never have to deal with them ever again) here in the Philippines, I say the movie gave a very close portrayal how things and people are in that pit.

I have not watched too many films, but I am very happy with the kind of films that are being made; makes you think, and hope, that one day our brilliant filmmakers will one day not only get the recognition they deserve, but also help alleviate this country from the mess we're in.

Tagaytay Love

Tagaytay has always been special. I’ve been there a lot of times on family weekend excursions, school field trips, spontaneous road trips with friends, org sem planning, company strategic planning, food trips; the list goes on and on.

I love how it’s only an hour’s drive away from the city and you have yourself a different view and a whole set of great restos to choose from.

I think everybody should have their own Tagaytay like I do mine. A special place not too near, not too far, just the right distance to get you back to a special place where your heart belongs =) And as much as I have tons of great photos and countless memories in Tagaytay, I still hope to make more next time.

Little Tokyo Adventure

Note: All pictures are by my friend L.

A couple of Sundays back, I had a wonderful bonding time with my girlfriends, L and C for a belated celebration of L's birthday. We were originally going to Binondo, but I suggested that we go to Little Tokyo instead as I've been wanting to try it out there for quite some time. And I'm glad we opted to go there intead =)

Little Tokyo is located at a less appealing place than the more popular, usual Makati hotspots. It's a compound quite hidden from the main road (Pasong Tamo), beside Makati Cinema Square. I like the personality of the place - I've never been to Tokyo but I can easily imagine the city with how the cluster of restaurants are designed and built together. It's a very nice discovery, really.

There are several grocery shops as seen from Pasong Tamo, and the more expensive restaurants are also around the exterior of the compound. It would be nice to go inside - there are 2 Little Tokyo arcs that serve as entrance/exit points leading to a cluster of restaurants, with a small bonsai garden in the middle, lampposts and wooden chairs and tables that give off that Japanese feel.

As there were several restaurants inside, we just randomly chose Hana. And honestly, it wasn't a bad choice at all =)

My favorite was the Unagi Kabayaki, which was just eel with a very tasty sauce. I've tried Unagi in other Jap restos before, but none made quite a mark on me. This one I like very much though =) We had it sprinkled with a Japanese seasoning in a bottle (like the McCormick ones), which the staff gave us. It went very well with the Unagi and I love it. This one's my fave from all that we ate at Hana =)

In some of the blogs I've read, they've mentioned that Hana has the best Takoyako in town. I guess that shoot up my expectations of their Takoyaki. So, what do I think of their version? I'd say it's a far cry from what you get to buy in kiosks scaterred around the metro, and I will probably get that again the next time I go there. However, I don't think it's something I'd regularly crave for.

We also had the Hana Special Salad with Sesame Sauce and their Miso Ramen. To start with, I am not much of a fan of salads and ramens, and sadly, Hana's versions failed to make me a convert either. It's not bad, but I don't think they were exceptionally good either. I can pass up both next time.

Oh, but this, for me, is the star of the night - Green Tea Ice Cream! I love everything green tea and this one is sooo good and so cheap at that! Only Php90 for a size a little larger than the local personal sizes we can buy around. We bought from one of the grocery stores in there which sell all kinds of Japanese stuff. It was the perfect cap for our little foodie adventure. I'd sure be buying more of these in the coming days - I'm going back there even just to get my green tea ice cream fix =))