Happy Lemon (Greenhills Promenade)

"Happy Lemon started in 2006 in Hong Kong and now has over 100 outlets spread across Hong Kong and China" - Happy Lemon

And now, it's finally here in the Philippines. A branch at Greenhills Promenade. It just opened a few months ago, and sure enough, it is a big hit!

Before heading to Makati for a dinner reservation, My family and I decided to drop by at Greenhills and try this latest Manila craze. My sister had already tried it, so she knew what I should order first.

Beef & Vegetable Noodles (Chinese-Korean Fusion) - Recipe

After arranging our pantry, my mom found Korean wheat noodles that were left unseen for months. So, not wanting it to go to waste, we decided to have noodles for dinner.

We only use those kind of noodles for Shabu-shabu, but we're not in the mood for it and we lack some ingredients. So, we thought, why not make our own recipe of Chinese-Korean style noodles out of whatever we have in the fridge.

Ingredients:

Patchi Chocolate

A year ago, my aunt who works in Abu Dhabi University, brought home a special treat for all of us. Patchi chocolates ^_^

According to her and to my former grade-school teacher (who now works in Dubai) these chocolates are quite expensive. And a few years back, this brand was not even available here in the Philippines. So, receiving boxes full of assorted Patchi chocolates was a fantastic treat. Thanks Rae! ^_^

Baba Ghannouj - House of Kabab (SM City Taytay)

hmmmm...how can I say this without being so harsh? Yes, a bad food trip experience...Feel free to read more or skip to my other posts...

I have never been to.... OR.... This is my first time to dine at a restaurant/food establishment where the MAJORITY of the food on their menu was NOT AVAILABLE.  

January 14, 2011 -- After a long and tiring trip from Quezon City going to Binangonan Rizal -- to pay this years realty tax. My parents and I have decided to have lunch at SM Taytay. We were enticed by the very attractive interiors of Baba Ghannouj (House of Kabab)

Focaccia - A Slice of Italy (A. Venue)

Last month, after my mom's client call, we happen to pass by at A.Venue. My sister being a major foodie, instinctively call out: "Oi! A.Venue! I've heard about this place. Let's have dinner here!"

And so, my dad (the driver at that time) made a quick right turn and looked for a parking space. Inside the mall, we scouted for a good place to eat. In the end, we've decided to try Focaccia. According to my sister, she has heard/read good reviews about the brand.

We ordered:

Iced Tea can give you Kidney Stones

Who knew that drinking too much iced tea can give you kidney stones? I know for a fact that Tea is very healthy. I have been ordering iced tea since I knew there was such a drink. Thank goodness it was only once in a while. Only during the times we dine out and no other drink was available.

But what about those who offer bottomless/refillable iced tea? And what about my other relatives who practically consider instant iced tea as regular H2O? And to think that bottled, ready to drink Iced Tea is always available in the groceries and convenient stores....I better warn them about this.

Thanks to my sister, who was reading a fitness magazine, while we were killing time during our movie night. She borrowed the digi-cam that she gave me, and snapped a couple of pictures of the article.

Read and be warned:

Martini - Asti

After Lambrusco Emilia and Pinot Noir (Wild Rock), my uncle saved the best for last. He served the family's favorite, the classic Italian sparkling wine -- Martini - Asti.

Wild Rock (Cupids Arrow) Pinot Noir

Also during my cousin's birthday, aside from serving Lambrusco Emilia, my uncle also served a 2008 Pinot Noir -- Wild Rock red wine. A product of New Zealand.

Lambrusco Emilia (rosso) Sparkling Red Wine

During my cousin's 10th birthday last Saturday. His dad (my uncle), a wine aficionado, served us a couple bottles of red wine. The first one is, Lambrusco Emilia (rosso) Italian Red Wine. According to him, it's a good one. Plus, it only has mild alcohol content, thus, it was just like drinking grape juice.

Muang Thai - Authentic Thai Cuisine

 
This is probably one of the most authentic-tasting Thai restaurants in the Metro. They also have Thai inspired interior design, so having your lunch or dinner there would give you a different kind of atmosphere.

The Highlands Steakhouse (SM Mall of Asia)

As posted earlier, our evening at the Highlands Steakhouse in SM MOA was one of the best. Not just because it's our first time to welcome the New Year in a public place, but also because of the fantastic dinner we had at the steakhouse.

New Year's Eve at The Highlands Steakhouse in SM Mall of Asia (part 2)

Don't you just wish you could rewind time? Especially, during a great and wonderful moment, so we could experience it over and over?  ^_^ Thank goodness for video recording.

As usual, the people were in high spirits. Especially during the fireworks display. There's nothing you can hear but loud cheers, and non-stop party horns. I swear, I thought "don't these people run out of breath?"

Here's a sample of a video I took during the said event.