The Big Bang Theory

I've always been a TV junkie, just these days i watch TV on my laptop, hahaha!

And this is my current addiction:

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.

That Moment

...when the thing you've just given up ever finding shows itself out of nowhere, when you weren't even looking for it anymore =)

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 =)

The Manila Pen Experience

I've been to the Manila Peninsula a couple of times before for seminars or talks, but never really experienced the Pen, at least not how I've read people have experienced it.

Last September 14, Manila Peninsula celebrated its 35th year in Manila, and was selling their famed Halo-Halo and Schueblig Sausage for each Php35. But more than the obvious discounted food, it's the whole experience that I'm really, really happy about.

Dimmed lights, and the live string quartet playing in the background made the experience so nice =)

And the Sun at The Lobby, finally got to meet her =)

Friends with Benefits

I wanted to see this in the theater, but my cousin advised me to just download it instead. And yeah, while I liked the movie, it's better just downloaded and watched at home rather than spend your bucks for big screen tickets.

Friends with Benefits is a just a light movie, with a fast-becoming familiar set-up: 2 supposed friends who are sleeping together and should have no emotional investment. Haha. Who are you trying to fool? Sex is an intimate act, and if you are doing it together, on a regular basis, you are bound to fall in love with your bedmate. End of story.

Nevertheless, while we know exactly where the movie was going to, it doesn't stop us from enjoying it nevertheless. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis are so charming together and very convincing both as friends and as lovers =)

Most memorable line: from JT's gay officemate: "It's not who you spend Friday night with, it's who you want to spend the whole day Saturday with."

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