New Year's Eve at The Highlands Steakhouse in SM Mall of Asia (part 1)

We are currently at The Highlands SteakHouse waiting for the New Year. As of 10:30pm here's an update on how many people are here at the SM Mall of Asia, like us, excited for the 15 minutes of Fireworks display at exactly 12mn (Jan 1, 2011)

2-Liter Chinese Red Wine (Gaoji - Qiwei)

Yesterday, during our late Christmas visit to my uncle (dad's bro), Uncle Eddie gave us a bottle of wine. That time, we did not know what kind of wine it was; since it was gift wrapped. But when we got home, viola! ^_^

There's no doubt about it! This is probably the biggest bottle of wine I have ever seen. Call me ignorant, but I swear, I was wowed.

Yey! Christmas Day!

As expected, our Christmas 2010 was another success. Simply because of FOOD! The family may not be complete (since the others are in different countries) but sill, we made sure that everyone is happy.

Just to share what we had at our table....^_^ Enjoy ^_^

A Gift of ROYCE! ^_^

Today, our family received a special surprise....Nama Chocolate Surprise! ROYCE!!! ^_^

Majestic Ham

This Christmas, aside from having Kare-Kare, Dinuguan, etc, we are also having Majestic Ham for Noche Buena. According to my mom, this is the first time they bought an entire leg of Majestic Ham--since it was and still, too expensive.

CIBO - Eastwood City Libis

As usual, after securing our seats in the movie theater, my family and I had something to eat. This time, for a light dinner. One of the usual areas that we pass by; every time we go to Eastwood became different. The open space at the second floor of the new mall (the one with a grand piano) was replaced by a small branch of CIBO. So we decided to dine there.

It was quite an unusual experience for me. Because I am not really comfortable eating in an open space, where people continuously walk/pass by, beside and behind me...


We ordered:

KFC Doubledown

Finally, after weeks of waiting, I managed to get hold KFC's Doubledown!

I was a bit disappointed of its size. I was expecting it to be much bigger. But I guess it's better that way--to lessen the cholesterol intake ^_^

Sky Lounge - Vivere Hotel

Just a quick post and to share...

As an early and additional Christmas gift for me and my parents, my sweet sister, Karen, treated us for a dinner at the Sky Lounge (Restaurant and Bar) of the Vivere Hotel in Alabang.

WIN a 4-day baking course from First Gourmet Academy

First Gourmet Academy, one of the leading culinary schools here in Quezon City, is again, giving away, a free culinary scholarship by just joining their online Poll contest. This time, a 4-day short course in Baking will be awarded to one (1) luck winner (by random).

Meiji - Melty Kiss

Have you been craving for some Royce Chocolate, but hesitant to buy a box because it's too expensive? Well, good news. Meiji just answered our prayers. For the past few years, every Christmas season, Meiji brings us their special chocolate that taste like, looks like and feels like.... Royce. But much, much cheaper.

Presenting: The Melty Kiss

Sambo Kojin (Yakiniku Smokeless Grill) - Eastwood City Libis

When was the last time you had fun with your college friends? In my case, it was only 2 nights ago.

For the past few years, I have been some sort of a hermit. ^_^ I usually do not vacate the comfort and security of my four corners. Sometimes, my friends would even knock on my bedroom door just to urge me to go and hang-out with them. But I always refuse...

It's only a few nights ago that I've decided to meet with them again, since it's the holiday season anyway...

I forgot about how great it was to be in the company of good old friends -- and I was glad I did go out. That night I realized how much I missed my friends. The jokes and laughter, the good and fun memories it brought back, and the new ones we created that night was unmistakeably priceless. 

For my grand comeback, we decided to try a new Eat All You Can restaurant in Eastwood City, Libis.

Jack's Loft - Capitil Hills - Review

After dinner at Pho Hoa, my sister craved for some dessert. So she ordered a Warm Choco Fudge Cake at Jack's Loft (w/c is a sister brand of Pho Hoa)

One order of WCFC is Php 88.

Pho Hoa - Capitol Hills - Review

While waiting for my dad, who attended a Christmas raffle at Celebrity Sports Club--my mom, my sister and I decided to have a light dinner at Pho Hoa in Capitol Greens (at Capitol Hills) and since the Wi-fi at the sports club is down and most of the air-conditioned dining area are jam packed (due to different Christmas events)

We ordered:

- Pho Nam, Chin, Gan, Bo Vien (Flank, Brisket, Tendon and Meatball)
- Goi Tom Buoi (Pomelo Shrimp Salad)
- Goi Cuon (Fresh spring roll vegetarian/ shrimp &pork)

Novelino Wine - Review

When I was a child, I look forward to Christmas and New Years Eve because of new toys and sparklers. But as I grew older I look forward to other stuff during the yuletide season--Food and Wine! ^_^

With only 4.5% alcohol content, this particular Novelino Wine is probably my ideal drink.

During our grocery shopping, we happen to pass by a kiosk of the said brand, which offers free taste on their new products. We probably tried six different flavored wines. What I loved about their new product is that; it does not contain much alcohol and it does not have that sour and bitter taste you get from cheap wines.

We chose to buy Strawberry Passion and Classic Sweet Red Wine.

King Bee Chinese Food- Review

Probably one of the best, Chinese restaurants here in the Philippines. King Bee looks ordinary (like fast food) but, they have great food quality and huge servings. (They boast about it ^_^)

They carry the taste similar to popular Chinese restaurants like Gloria Maris but, with a cheaper price…I guess. ^_^

WIN Free Culinary Course from First Gourment Academy!

Did you ever dream of becoming a chef but, could not afford to enroll in a good culinary school? Well, now is your chance to study in one, for FREE! Just by inviting your friends and family to "Like" the facebook page of "First Gourmet Academy" you get  the chance to WIN 1 of 3 Gift Certificates for a Culinary Course (Short course in Fundamentals of Culinary Arts) plus other exciting prizes.

Simply follow these simple steps:

Tao Yuan Restaurant, Malate - Review

 One evening, my sister, urged my dad to make reservations at Tao Yuan, a Singaporean restaurant. When I found out where it was located, I was hesitant to join, simply because I found it too far from where we live.

But my sister finally convinced me to tag along, saying that I won’t regret it. That Tao Yuan is one of the best restaurants in the city. Well, she’s right! And I am glad that I did join them. The food was great!

We ordered:

Lechon Pizza (Pizza Hut) - Review

Me and my sister grew up with Pizza Hut. I can still recall ordering our ultimate favorite family size, thick crust pizza (Hawaiian flavor) every Saturday. The two of us would finish the entire box within a few minutes. (at that time, we were about less than 10 years old) For us, nothing can compare with Pizza Hut, not even the happy bee or the clown. ^_^

Today, on our way to the cemetery for a late visit to my great grand parents’ grave, my parents and I decided to have a snack at Pizza Hut in Katipunan Ave.  I was so eager to try their new flavor, the Lechon Pizza (Roasted Pork Pizza) since it looks so delicious on their promotions.

The Parvati Shop's "Wish upon a Baker" online promo

Wold you like sometreats? Craving for some sweets? Then this is your lucky month, because Parvati is giving free treats every week, this November 2010 in their "Wish Upon a Baker" online promo.

Simply follow these simple steps:

Black Soup Cafe - Review

Maginhawa Street in Quezon City has many food establishments. We plan to try most of them. But first, we opted to tryout PINO restaurant, but too bad for us though because it was full for customers when we got there.

So we drove a little more, looking for a good place to eat. Then my sister spotted Black Soup Café.

We ordered:

Chicken Charlie - Review

After a few years residing in America, my godmother, decided to go back here in the Philippines and start a food business. According to her, during her taste test, some of her friends mentioned that her chicken recipe tasted like the ones of Chicken Charlie.

Viral Post for my Blog Idol, blankPixels

Okay, I know this is not food related. But just to help and support my online buddy, idol and blog mentor : blankPixels. Just this once, Let me post and share her contest entry here (for her to gain more points to win-- I owe her that much. So, to all my food readers--if there's any, please, bear with us.) ^_^


This is blankPixel's official entry to Sulit's Christmas card-making contest. I support her entry by being one of her viral posters.

Beef/Pork Jerky Anyone?

Just recently, a doctor friend of ours, who just came home from a quick trip in Singapore--gave us a weird looking snack. The content is unknown to us, since the writings were in a different language. Whatever "Bakkwa" means--I hope it will taste good.

Brothers Burger 50% Discount Promo!

Once again, Brothers Burger is giving a huge 50% discount on their Big Brother's Burger as a Thanks Giving Promo! (thanks for the tip! from my idol at Certifiedfoodies.com)

I won 500 pesos worth of GC from Yellow Cab Pizza PH!

Among the 1,041 Yellow Cab Pizza Fans who joined the 2nd raffle, I was one of the 10 lucky winners who got a 500 pesos worth of GC from YCP ^_^ also, courtesy of Havoc Digital Inc.

Bag of Beans (Tagaytay) - Review

While waiting for our client, we decided to have coffee at Bag of Beans. The coffee shop got famous for their Alamid (Civet) Coffee. Too bad they don't offer it (for dine-in) anymore. But you can purchase packs/bags of it in their store. I'm not sure about the price though. Sorry, I forgot to check.

Twistix (Tagaytay) - Review

Upon exploring Summit Ridge's Promenade, I happen to notice a woman carrying a some sort of thing in a large barbecue stick. I got really curious!

Toscana Farms (Tagaytay) - Review

On our way to Bawai's Vietnamese Kusina to have lunch, we passed by Toscana Farms, Inc. After our reservations, we passed by it again--we got curious so we entered (the gate was wide open) They specialize is hydro-farming. Mostly, they offer Tomatoes, Bell-peppers, Basil, Oregano, etc.

Rai Rai Ken (Blue Wave) - Review

On our way home from Tagaytay, we decided to drop-by the Blue Wave, near SM Mall of Asia, and have a quick dinner. We circled the area to look for a nice place to eat. There was a live band performing at the center with loud music, and so, we decided to try the restaurants on the sides with enclosure.

We picked Rai Rai Ken Japanese Restaurant.

We ordered:

Bawai's Vietnamese Kitchen (Tagaytay) - Review

As a birthday treat for my dad, my sister, treated the family for a lunch date at Bawai's in Tagaytay.

It's a Vietnamese restaurant that is managed and owned by a Vietnamese-Filipino family, residing here in the Philippines. The matriarch is a pure Vietnamese woman (Ba Wai - meaning: grandmother) who migrated here in the Philippines in the early 70's

More Trolli Sour Glowworms

I know! Who eats this kind of junk? And this much? ^_^


Well, I do. And so does my sister and my mom (a little)

Turk's Shawarma (SM Marikina Branch) - Review

Before heading to the groceries, we decided to grab a quick snack first. We had Turk's Shawarma (for the nth time now ^_^)

Tribu Gill Express (Quezon City, Philippines) - Review

Tonight, my sister and I  decided to have dinner at Tribu Gill, located at the Upper Ground Floor of Berkeley Square Bldg. in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. The very first Tribu branch, here in the Philippines.

Tribu Gill is originally from (San Francisco Bay Area)  San Bruno, California, USA. It's is owned by a Filipino Family residing in the states. It caters Filipino cuisine--and they are proud of it!

Finally, last July 2010, they've decided to bring it home, here in the Philippines. (Thanks Tribu!)

Trolli Sour GlowWorms - Review

I would like to introduce one of my Favorite Candies in the world!

Trolli Sour GlowWorms

Bibingkabon - Review

Yesterday, after a short trip from the grocery (Shopwise) my mom and my grandmother bought a box of mini Bibingka on the way home.

Pasta Fusilli in Pesto - My Recipe

Today, I've decided to make a pasta dish that can be considered healthy (sort of) ^_^ the key ingredient would be Basil Leaves.

Ingredients:

340g Whole Wheat Fusilli
50g Fresh Basil Leaves
5 cloves of Garlic
Bits of Sausage and Majestic Ham
Salt
Olive Oil

Pho Hoa (Noodle Soup) (Eastwood Libis) - Review

A few hours ago we went to Eastwood City to catch a movie with my sister and her boyfriend "Chabbi". We arrived a couple of hours early so we decided to have dinner first. We all agreed to have it light and a bit inexpensive so we dined at Pho Hoa.

Roli's Bakeshop - Review

On our way to our client call (at SM the Block) we passed by a green pastry cart that caters some square shaped breads. They are mouth watering--but we are in a hurry, so we went straight ahead.  After our meeting, we managed to passed by the green cart again, and so I took the liberty of teasing my mom to try one. It was good...sooo good that we ended up buying a small box, to take back home.

Flavours of China - Review

After our short trip to Makati, my parents and I went straight to SM the Block for a client call. Now, it was already 2:45pm and we haven't had our lunch yet. So, we have decided to look for a place to eat first (our client texted that he, was going to be late). We then decided to try Flavours of China (yes, it is spelled with a letter U) since we only have so much time in our hands and that it's closer to where we were.

We ordered:

Kabab Korner - Review

The other day, before going to Eastwood Libis to watch a movie (RED), we stopped by at Treehouse Resto/Grill in Matalino St., to pick-up my sister's prize for winning a contest. Afterwards, before heading to the movie house, my mom suggested for us to grab a quick snack first (which evidently felt like a full course meal), we then decided to dine at Kabab Korner, also located in Matalino St.

(new) Lucky Me! Nam Nam

Namnamin ang bagong sarap ng lutong bahay! (Savor the new delicious taste of home cooking!)

Presenting, the new and latest product of Lucky Me!

Nam Nam (All-In-One) Fine Seasoning Granules