SumoSam Dinner with my Dad

Today is Father's Day, and along with the world, I am proclaiming that my Dad is the best :) I am thankful, blessed and happy that I was given the Dad I have. I didn't plan anything today as I've always believed that we shouldn't single out just a day in a year to show our love to our original superhero :)

                             

    

Here's what my Daddy and I had in one among our many dinner dates. This one's at SumoSam at The Block. I wanted to eat at a shabu-shabu that night, but the one at The Block apparently closed out already. And so, we went to SumoSam instead. I'm not a big fan of SumoSam, you know, they're food is not bad, I just know other better Japanese restaurants around. 

And because I originally wanted shabu-shabu, I ordered Vegetable Ramen (Php 279) and their Sizzling Salmon (Php 328). Their ramen was quite disappointing, and was this close to tasting like instant noodles. The salmon, on the other hand, was wonderful. I usually like my salmon raw, but this one's really nice, and Daddy and I finished it up in a breeze.

                              

                              

      

It was a nice dinner yet again with my dear Daddy :) I know Daddy doesn't read this, but I definitely hope I am doing enough to let him know that I love him, and that I feel blessed to have him as my father :) Happy Father's Day to your Dads, too :)

    

QKebab Dinner to Soothe the Soul

Ok, let's put my post title into context. I just came from the mountains of Tanay with my BFF C and her  BF M, and while the trip was chill and ok, it was the very rough jeepney ride home from Cogeo to Katipunan that did us in. The driver had very rough driving skills and his sounds were blaring; I seriously felt violated.

I said I wanted to eat something that will soothe my soul, and so M recommended QKebab near Katipunan. And I'm not sure if I was that tired, or if their stuff was really good, but I swear my Mango-Yogurt Smoothie calmed my nerves. And that was just for Php80. I also had their Chicken Salad Bowl (Php 165) which was also quite good and actually tasted healthy. It's quite a good discovery :)

                              

                         

QKebab is at 41 Esteban Abadan St. Cor. R. Alberto St. Loyola Heights QC, just behind Mc Donald's.

        

According to Mareng Marilyn

                              "Give the girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world."

                             

    

The Avengers

                            

One year after it was shown in theaters, Star Movies featured The Avengers last weekend. Fresh from my Iron Man fix, I made sure I'm there when it premieres in Philippine Television.

With egos and issues to match their super powers, The Avengers is simply full of tension waiting to burst out. And it's such an enjoyable treat to watch with their witty exchanges. And of course, we are not left wanting on their fight scenes. 

For all their special abilities, I am only too happy with how each super heroes are still very much in touch of their humanity. And how they were all able to let go of their own issues when the situation called for it. Of course, Iron Man was my favorite :) and Captain America came at a close second :)

Brunch at Brida's

I've been quite hooked with brunch places recently, and this post is about another brunch place yet again.

One lazy Saturday morning, I found myself having brunch at Brida's Cafe, located at Powerplant's second floor, between Topshop and The Spa. I've been wanting to go there mainly for the rainbow cake I've read from Jessica Zafra's blog. When I was there I also got Croque Madame as well, as I realized I was actually a little hungry. The verdict? Both orders were nothing too special, but they weren't really bad; just not something I'd come back for. This is why I was quite surprised my order had set me back for almost Php500! I'm glad I tried my rainbow cake, but I might not come back anytime soon.

                         

Rainbow Cake Slice at Php209 and Croque Madame at Php259, with Php50 as 12% VAT!!!

But it is a lovely cake, don't you agree?

                         

     

Astrid & Veronika

It's been a while since I've last read a book; this is actually the first book I've finished this year. Yeah, I know, what a slacker. I've picked this up from a Fully Booked sale, because I was out to find books that will allow me to travel places - and this was set on a small Swedish village with a girl who travelled all the way from New Zealand. A first novel by Linda Olsson, it got me interested enough.

And while I can say the book is quite beautifully written, with words poetically-stringed together in an attempt to capture memories the characters have otherwise left unsaid or runaway from, I find it quite gloomy for my liking. I'm just too glad I finally finished a book this year; I'm hoping this would get me back my reading mojo.

It was a story of two women at different points in their lives, but at the same time found themselves at the same place - trying to find footing after their respective lives' tragedies. I've always believed life never runs out of tricks in its continued attempt to pull the rag under our feet, we all just have to find our way back to stand up again. And more often than not, we'd be surprised as to who will help us back on our feet, and how the world shifted while we were down on all fours.

I say it was a good read, but didn't quite make it on my favorite's list.

My Calamansi Pie Epiphany

One day, on my way home from work, I consciously decided to stray away from my usual routine, not to take the cab and just walk my way home. I wanted to explore the neighborhood and I had time to kill anyways. I went inside Wine Depot along Reposo (now officially called Nicanor Garcia Ave actually). I didn't have any agenda, I guess I was just curious.

And I was pleasantly surprised to discover a restaurant inside the store, all the while I thought they were just selling wines. I was looking on to their display and saw a white pie, and promptly asked the girl behind the counter what kind of pie it is. "Calamansi Pie", she replied. My eyes lit up as I love tangy pies. (Figaro's lemon squares and Mamou's key lime pie come to mind, but that's another blogpost!)

And while I think it's quite pricey at Php165 per slice, I ordered a slice and sat down. And just like that, I fell in love. Hahahaha!!! The zesty Calamansi filling complemented the crust perfectly,along with the sweet meringue topping that sealed off the deal. It was Php165 well-spent. I finished off my slice faster than how a lady should, and after finishing it off I decided it would have been great with coffee. Next time, next time. It was a happy discovery and I'm just too glad to have been acquainted to a new love.

I guess that's how we should be with life. Let ourselves stay open for a new discovery, interesting hobbies, an inspiration or maybe even the love of our lives. Expect the unexpected and remember that someone, somewhere, said, that the only way to discover new seas is to have the courage to lose sight of the shore. It is by taking risks, staying open and sometimes even straying away from the carved path that we discover new and great things. It's a huge world, I'm sure there are still surprises hiding somewhere if we just look at the right places.

Yes, I got all this from eating a pie. I take my food seriously, no? =)