Green Tea Chocolate!

Yet another green tea discovery!

Meiji's Meltykiss Green Tea Flavor is love <3

11.11.11 @ The Borough

Had a chillax dinner with J & J last 11/11/11. We were supposed to go to the lighting up of the wish lanterns at Banchetto, but as it was cancelled and it rained, we decided to go to the Podium instead.

I've been reading a lot about The Borough and had been wanting to go try it out, and thought it was the perfect time to do so, with 2 of my best friends. We also started for our upcoming trip next year *yey*

The Borough supposedly serves comfort food. And yes, while I can agree they serve good food, we just found it too pricey, and we weren't very comforted at all, hahaha =)

I forgot to take note of the prices, but the burger set us back by about 300 or so, i think even 400. Too pricey. Heehee. Might not be coming back too soon.

Dinner at Chef's Quarters

Chef's Quarters is part of the same chain which owns Uncle Cheffy and Buerre Blanc. And that can only mean one thing: great food =)

I had dinner with my friend C some time back at Chef's Quarters, and suffice it to say it was very pleasant =) I searched the net before we went there, and I really wanted to try their Tessie Tomas Salad. 

Tessie Tomas, according to their menu (yes, I copied it, haha), is an old time favorite, a combination of roasted prawns, marinated salmon and grilled shitake mushrooms with mesclun salad in a creamy balsamic dressing. Whew! That was long! For me, the flavors simply blended very well together =) It was obviously named after the comedian, as Ms. Tessie Tomas would always ask the Chef to prepare it for her.

Tessie Tomas Salad, Php 250

We also had Lasagna, which was not exactly my favorite that night. It tasted good, but I easily got tired of it. Nakakasuya. Hehe. I can pass this up next time.

Lasagna, Php 230

We also had their All-Meat Panizza. This is something we'd always order from Uncle Cheffy, and it tasted exactly the same, haha! And while I'm not complaining, well, uhmmm, I guess I just was expecting something different?

All-Meat Panizza, Php 290

The restaurant has 12% VAT and 10% Service Charge. But hey, I say it's worth it =)

Comfort Food Contender #2: Mexicali

I first ate at Mexicali when I was a lot younger and got reunited with it in college; it has since then become a favorite go-to place if I don't want to be disappointed with my meal. A lot of people say that it's not authentic Mexican food, but hey, I really wouldn't know so this would do me just fine for now.

(I do enjoy Taco Bell and Zapata's in Clark – where you can supposedly get the most authentic Mexican food around. I’m not discriminating with my food. )

What made this particular trip to Mexicali special is that I spent it with my boys  - always a treat and I’m thankful for these times =)

For Daddy, I ordered Enchilladas with Rice and Salsa. This is my default order and I always like the creaminess of the cheese that gives it a nice oomph. Daddy likes it too and thinks that the meal is balanced as it had meat, veggies and rice.

Chicken Enchillada with Rice & Salad, Php 195

I think R was the least happy with his meal that day. He had Tacos with rice and chili con carne. He found the chili con carne to be too overpowering for his liking; I actually had to finish it off for him.

Taco & Chili Con Carne with Rice, with Sprite, Php199

I usually order Enchilladas when I’m in Mexicali but since Daddy’s having it already, I decided to get Burritos instead. I think it was quite on the dry side that day. I decided to put it R’s leftover chili con carne and it turned out great. The chili con carne was toned down and my burrito had more interesting stuff going in it. The burrito had chips and salsa which were great for in-between bites.

Ground Beef Burritos, Php145

Aaaahhhh, but I always leave room for my butterscotch pie here in Mexicali. Custard generously topped with meringue sitting on nicely-baked crust sounds like the perfect cap for your Mexican meal, don't you think?

We had Daddy with us, so we were able to avail of senior citizen discounts which the store dutifully honors. Mexicali’s on partly self-service mode, but the staff was gracious nonetheless.

So am I coming back again? Definitely.

Butterscotch  Pie, Php89

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 =)

Go Greek!: Comfort Food Contender #1

Early on with this blog, I said I was looking for a new, and healthier comfort food to replace McDo's Cheeseburger meal in my tummy's heart. Here's one of my favorite frontrunners: Go Greek!

Go Greek! has the same owners as Cyma; and I like to think of the former as a cheaper version of the latter :) I am hooked on their Kebabs - specifically the Seafood one. I would regularly crave for their Seafood Kebab and I just find myself going out of my way to get it. They're on Glorietta's Food Choices, near the window overlooking SM.

I used to find their food quite pricey, given that it's foodcourt food. At Php195, don't you think it was quite pricey? It had a seafood kebab with tomatoes and onions, chunks of potatoes and vegetable salad on the side. It was good, but still, pricey.

Then one day, I brought my friend here and ordered the same meal, but instead of potatoes, she just had pita bread. And you know how much it cost her? Php 135!!! Sixty-peso difference for potatoes? Oh my, while I'm a potato lover, I don't think it's wisest to pay for potatoes that much. Since then, I just order my kebab with pita bread instead =)

Oh, and before I forget, their greek vinaigrette! It's my favorite - and simply one of the main reasons I go back again and again =) They used to give it endlessly, with bottles of their Greek and Fruitty vinaigrettes available outside the counter. But I guess people started getting too much, and then management started limitting their vinaigrette =(

Hmmmm, I think I'm craving for my seafood kebab again!!!

Go Greek!

Glorietta 4 Food Choices

Ayala Center, Makati City

Mozu's Choco Lava

Just had to post one of the many desserts I heart <3

Choco Lava, Php 125 from Mozu Cafe

Shared this heavenly piece of dessert with a few of my girlfriends from the office. Words that will justify this escape me now, but please believe me when I say this is sooo good. I will edit as soon as I am capable of writing something more fitting again.

Bar Dolci's Gelato

During our last fostering activity, I finally had the chance to try out the Gelato at Bar Dolci. I've been eyeing to try this out the last time I was in the Burgos Circle area, but I remembered being too full at that time.

Instead of getting a small cup with just one flavor which would cost Php120, our team lead let us get the Php200-peso cup with 3 flavors. Gelato overload!

I got Thai Tea Milk, Ferrero and Starciatella. And all three were very good - I highly recommend them! One of my teammates got Pistachio, which I also liked. I also tried their supposed bestseller, Salted Caramel, but I didn't quite like it (apparently, this is James Yap's fave, according to our ate server). On my next visit, I'd try Chocolate Mint, Extra Dark Chocolate and Chocnut. Yes, I'm a chocolate lover =)

I'd definitely go back for the other gelato flavors, cocktail popsicles and their colorful macaroons, which I've heard are also good =)

 

Bar Dolci
F133 Forbeswood Heights corner Burgos Circle Area
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
(63 2) 4153333

Chelsea Market

One rainy saturday afternoon, I had a fancy merienda with one of my favorite kid in the world. We were supposed to eat at Abe, but at 2:30 PM it was already closed, so we ended up at the restaurant right across it, Chelsea Market.

We were first served with complimentary focacia bread with the mandatory dip while we were placing our orders. Nothing really special with the bread, but it made for a good appetizer.

reminds me of Italianni's

I had Three Truffled Mushroom Pasta, while my friend had Pork Belly, which was served on a bed of mashed potatoes and side veggies.



I liked how the truffled mushrooms blended well with the pasta's creamy sauce. At first glance, I thought it would end up tasting like the next carbonara, but the truffle flavor gave the dish a different kick, which I really, really loved. Serving is huge, and would be good enough for two.

My friend's Pork Belly had very crispy skin, which was sooo good. I know I said I'd start eating healthy, but this was very inviting. And the potatoes! I'm a potato person, and Chelsea's mashed potatoes did not disappoint. It was creamy and complimented well with the asparagus and the pork on top of it.

Chelsea Market is honestly quite expensive for me, considering its casual dining set-up. I did like the laid-back feel of the whole place, with kitschy stuff here and there, making good conversation topics while dining. In addition, I liked the overeall lightning, which was bright and gave off the vibe that it was a happy place. So while I did find it expensive, if it's just once in a while, I'd say it's worth it.

Chelsea Marlet

Ground Level Serendra Piazza

GBC Taguig City

Tower of Bones

And so it's back.

And here is the evidence, ladies and gentlemen:

Have a break, have a Kitkat...Mint!

We come across small, wonderful discoveries every once in a while. This had been mine from the past week:

Kitkat Mint!

Chocolate + Mint is just pure <3

 



Afternoon merienda @ Toast Box

I always welcome new restaurants / fastfoods around the office with wide, open arms as The Fort definitely lacks the eating options that Ayala has. I've been reading around the net that Hainanese Chicken Rice is so much better in Toast Box (in Greenbelt before) than in Wee Nam Kee. Was pretty much keen to try it out, so I was really happy when they opened a branch near the office.

They were still on soft opening when I came and the owners/manager and staff were pretty much stressed, but you'd have to forgive them for that, at least for now; I wanted a chillax cafe feel that afternoon, but I was quite stressed with the atmosphere inside the shop. But then again, I was sitting near the cashier / open kitchen area, so I could feel the tension, haha.

And since I haven't been eating rice lately, I decided to order the Hainanese sandwich instead, of course with my favorite milk tea =) The sandwich was just so-so, I might not crave for it anytime soon, but I'd definitely go back for my milk tea fix =) It was thick and creamy, and oh-so lovely =)

And because I'm sooo pinoy, I dunked my bread onto my tea and popped it into my mouth. Aaahh, and i'm a kid again =)

Craving for kopi or teh? Toast Box now open at BGC E-Services Building, 31st St. cor, Rizal Drive.

Cupcake Love

We had a little kid at home and I decided to bring home something for her one day.

Lemon drop remains to be my all-time, classic favorite at Sonya's, of course, but the Peanut-butter jelly and the nutella-something-banana flavors are also to die for!

Green Tea Ice Cream!

I crashed a friend's birthday dinner where I had the perfect treat to cap my tiring day.

Green Tea Ice Cream from Sushi-Ya

It doesn't take much to make me happy, and a simple cup of green tea ice cream shared over chismisan with great friends can easily do the job =)

CBD

I was supposed to go to Mercato last friday, but plans changed at the last minute. I didn't want to spend friday night at home, and so I called up a friend if she wanted to have dinner. As I've read a couple of reviews about CBD (Cheesesteaks, Burger & Drinks) in Ayala Triangle (where I haven't gone back to since Christmas), I suggested we try it out there.

When I read that CBD is owned by the same owners of Tender Bob's, I remembered my plateful of potato skins from Tender Bob's, and was consequently convinced that I should try it out at CBD.

I ordered their London Blue Cheeseburger, Julie just got fries as she already had pizza at the office and we both got ourselves milkshake.

London Blue Cheeseburger, Php 220

So what do we think about the food? My friend and I both liked the cheeseburger; it was juicy, very tasty and the cheese blended well with the sandwich. The fries tasted like real potatoes, which was very good, as we have had too much artificial-tasting fries around. 

Milkshakes, Php 135 each; French Fries Original, Php 40 

But the best part mostly, were our milkshakes! I got blueberry cheesecake, while Julie got vanilla peanut butter toffee (which has got to have the longest milkshake name i know). Mine was thick, very rich and the cheesecake bits gave it texture =)

The clocks reminded me of the office.

I say go try it, I can't see why not.