October Feast and a Little Angel

Food Escapades for the majority of October.
Yes. I've been EATING ALOT! Its just so darn good!

First up: Pho Hoa with M.
Looking for somewhere to eat while driving around, M saw this and highly suggested that I try it and so we did. Good food!

Second: Cafe Lugang with Sisters.
After a tiresome day dropping by the 5th BDJ Fair 2013 (will be sharing this very soon as it has been a very very late one!)we filled out tummies with Chinese! My favourite, xiao long bao (its the dumpling looking ones!)

Third: Yabu House of Katsu for the second time! First time here

After watching Cinderella at Resorts World Manila, my aunt dragged M and I to Yabu. The visit this time was a bit annoying due to the long line and unorganized queuing system. They were very apologetic about the situation and made up for it immediately. 

And since Halloween is just around the corner, I sneaked a little costume of our little angel.

Any costume ideas you wish to share?

Catch Up 7 Things

Been MIA from the blogging world and online for almost a month. *queue for the song "Wake me up when September ends"*

Just a little update as to what I've been working on for the past few weeks(while drinking tea).

One : Writing

Just writing about stuff. It may end up as an article, a journal or just a few random scribbles brought by daily observations and reflections (which I've been having lately)

Two : Working... As usual.

Keeping business partners happy yo!

Three : Reading

Catching up with some reading and hunting a few good reads too! Any suggestions? Novels, Self-Help, Love Stories, Fictional, Biographies are very much appreciated.

Four : iOS7

Just updated and I'm trying to familiarize myself with the new stuff they got. Hmmm. How are you holdin' up iOS users?

Five : Browsing

Looking for schools, books, a few good beats and maybe gift ideas for the holiday season. 89 days to go - not that I'm counting.

Six : Working Out

Just sweatin' it out.

Seven : Day Dreaming about...

I may still be dreaming about the sun on my skin but I'm really excited about this sweater/jacket weather - means Christmas is just around the corner!

Hope you guys are having a blast too!

- T

Hello September!

Welcomed the first of September with my dear sister M.

Relaxing at home, listening to good music while tossing amateur pizzas for our empty stomachs.

We we're able to come up with Barbecue and Bacon Pizza.

Hello September!

Boots

Wore these gorgeous and comfy boots while running errands around city last week.
Paired it with black tights/leggings and a white V-neck shirt.

Catch up at Yabu The House of Katsu

As what I've mentioned here, my sister M just came back from her two month training at one of the best hotel/beaches here in the Philippines. Only two more years and she's a certified Chef!

So anyway,

Since I was a busy bee the week she arrived until now, I invited her for a little catch up.

We visited our long list of must try restaurants and picked out one.

The menu was pretty simple and informative (if I may say so)

We ordered the basic - Chicken Katsu plus a sampler for Salmon and Creamy Crab

While waiting for our order to arrive,

we we're given the sauce ingredient for the sauce (? or dip)for the breaded chicken.

It arrived this way..

The nice waiter Eds/z kindly asked us if we are already "aware" of how they do things here - "The Katsu Ritual".

We politely said no and listened carefully as she demonstrated and explained.

Grind - Pour -  Mix - Dip

The four steps in The Katsu Ritual.

Black and White Sesame Seeds with Katsu Signature sauce (something barbecue-ish)

Having accomplished the dip,

Our Chicken Katsu together with Salmon (katsu) and creamy crab (katsu) finally arrived.

Left Side: Miso soup, sauce/dip (or soy sauce?) for the Salmon, Salmon Katsu and Creamy Crab.

Right Side: Organic Brown Rice (you're given a choice between Japanese white rice and brown rice), Katsu sauce/dip, tucked near the center plate is a saucer of Japanese pickles and a bowl of fruits.

Center: Chicken Katsu and Shredded Organic Cabbage. (the yellow stuff at the side is wasabi - is it weird that I thought it was Mustard?!)

*Miso Soup, Brown rice, Pickles and Organic Cabbage are UNLIMITED SERVING.

To flavour the Organic Cabbage,

served on the table are the following..

Cute little thing on the left is Pink Himalayan salt.

The small jar is the Katsu (BBQ i think) sauce

The tall ones for the Organic Cabbage are (from what I remember) Goma: Sesame seeds with Japanese Mayonnaise, Shouyu: Japanese Soy Sauce,vinegar and lime, Wasabi: Wasabi and Japanese Mayonnaise.

Small ones are Chili powder, Chili sauce, and Japanese Pepper

I suggest you try all the tall ones since Organic Cabbage is on Unlimited Serving and decide for yourself which suit your taste.

Mine was Goma while M's is a combination of Goma and Wasabi.

Now for the food..

Chicken Katsu was unbelievably tender!

Paired with the sauce.. Perfect!

Sides were great!

Salmon Katsu is on M's and my to-try-in-huge-serving list

Creamy Crab was... okay.

Service was very accommodating, friendly and efficient!

The creative restaurant was smart enough to make a cartoon that depicts the usual scenario in their restaurant.

The little guy there took the words out of my mouth!

It was indeed DELICIOUS!

For other details and reservations you may check them out here.

Definitely worth a trip!

Partner - In - Crime

My Partner-In-Crime is finally back!
Yay!

I missed her alot! though we talked almost everyday while she was way.
So now that she's here, we started mapping out the city for new finds.
I'll let her settle in first then let the spending eating and fun begin!

PS. Here's a sneak peek in some the delicious treats she's made whilst she was away.

Enjoy!!

Feel Good Playlist

The weather has been erratic.
In the morning it rains,
In the afternoon, the sun shines at its peak.
Sometimes it's the other way around.
I can rant the whole day about this very moody weather we're having here but it won't change anything.
So quick cure for this changing weather?
Music.
The beat that can perk you up,
Put a huge smile in your face,
And uplift that down spirit!

I believe we all have this.
That "Feel Good" song/s.
That tune where we just begin to sing,
move our heads,
dance,
and eventually,
Feel Genuinely Good.

Here's a peek in my top 10 accompanied with a youtube video.

1. Misfit by Amy Studt

2. Closer by Tegan and Sara

3. Let it Go by Dragonette

4. Tonight by Jessica Sanchez ft. Ne-yo

5. Carried Away by Passion Pit

6. Hearts Content by Brandi Carlile

7. Hold Tight by Colour Coding

8. Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke ft. T.I Pharell

9. Treasure by Bruno Mars

10.#Beautiful by Mariah Carey ft. Miguel

Some songs make me dance.
Some makes me sway.
But all those songs in their own way uplifts my cloudy mood.

Hope you enjoy my top 10 feel good songs.
What songs make you dance and feel happy?
 

FaBurrito

Healthy?..
Check!
Tasty?..
Check!
Fresh and Natural?..
Another check!
No preservatives/MSG?..
Fourth Check here!
Prepared daily?..
Yes!
Efficient staff?..
Absolutely!
Did I just did a run through of your Healthy check list?
If so,
You'll love this one for sure!
The place is called "FaBurrito"

We ordered our favourites and few add ons.

Starting with the chicken salad.
It is sort of a make-your-own but you can always ask for the best seller..

A mix of greens, cucumber, tomatoes, eggs, chicken,veggie chips (nachos type) and special sauce.

Since I was craving for soup, I opted for the Tea + Mexican Corn Soup.First time to try it!

It was..
Err.. Okay.
Not really a favourite of mine.

The tea however was good.
You may choose between mint and lemon grass.
My favourite is Mint!

That's an arm!
Aaaanyway,
My Mom ordered the Chicken Quesadilla which by the way is amazingly good!
Paired with a sauce and salsa! (Slipped a little salsa dance there!)

Another favourite is the Veggie Chips + Salsa
The chips and the salsa paired..
SOOOOO GOOOOOD!

Smoothie alert!
Anyone know what this is called?
This one is Stawberrybanana.
Yep.
Strawbana.
I loved it!

You know who else loved it?

That's my cutie patootie niece!

Details here.
Almost forgot! 10% of all proceeds from FaBurrito will go to their worthy cause - FabFoundation!

Bulgogi Brothers

Last weekend, I tagged along with my Sister V, her husband and my cute little niece for a little stroll around.
After a few hours chasing my adorable niece, I gave up and ask my sister where she wanted to eat.
Adding to my attempt list of the best Korean Restos in the Metro,
We decided to try Bulgogi Brothers.

It started with the typical servings of side dishes (unlimited ofcourse) though this is less than what I'm used to be served in authentic Korean restaurants.

Rice Cake, Kimchi (good kimchi if I may add), Water spinach, Quail eggs, dried sweetened anchovy, and eggplant with special sauce. 
Top favourites are:
Kimchi, Water Spinach and Quail Eggs 

 We started with Dubu Steak.
Fried Tofu with teriyaki sauce and bean sprouts.

Next we settled for Premium Rib-Eye and Boneless Short Ribs Combination

Combination of marinated bonesless short ribs and rib eye steak with Bulgogi Brothers sauce

We had ours Medium Rare.

For drinks,
We had Citrus Mint.

It was...
Refreshing.
Nothing fancy at all.

The meal was..
Okay..
Though I'd still prefer the authentic restaurant.
This one is very modern.

Try it out. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't but either way,atleast you tried here's their addresses and other details.

SM Mall of Asia - Entertainment Mall Southwing, Seaside Blvd. Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay (02) 823-2778

Alabang Town Center - LG/F Alabang Town Center New Wing, Alabang Zapote Road Alabang Muntinlupa (02) 919-6840

Greenbelt 5 - 3/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St. Legazpi Village Makati (02) 621-6216

My Kitchen

This is a long overdue post.
It was suppose to start with..
"Last weekend, Mom, M and I went to the salon to get our hair done.
Dad tagged along.
After hours of blow drying, combing, gossip and laughter from my stylist and a couple of check ups from my dad,
We felt hunger.
Having heard of My Kitchen by Chef Chris (Yes! we are not talking about my actual kitchen or my culinary talents)
We all decided to eat there." 

I've been thinking of the best way to share this experience for the past weeks but I can't seem to find the right words that's why I'll let the photos talk for this one (not the best quality of photos but I promise its the best food ever!)

Behind these doors is one of the best dining experience I've had.

Pumpkin and Carrot Cream Soup.
Topped with cream, croutons and fresh herbs

Spaghetti con Frutti di Mare
Fresh Salmon, Dorado, Snapper, Prawns and Mussels in light virgin olive oil, tomato, olives and capers
Burst of flavours if you ask me.

This was my favourite!
Its called "The Original"
The Chef's very own creation a fine crisp dough layered with a blend of five different cheese and herbs, perfected with one bowl of arugula and alfalfa sprouts.
We ordered half and half of their best sellers.

 

Mom wanted to try the Tender Ox Tongue in rich wine sauce with tomatoes and herbs.

So we did. 

It was served with Parmesan Polenta and soft boiled cabbage slices.

 

One of the best meals I've ever had!

You can find them inside Oasis Park Hotel. 

1032-34 Belen St. Paco, Manila

My Kitchen by Chef Chris website is here. 

Call ahead if you plan to go.

I promise! You won't be disappointed.

C2 Classic Cuisine

It has been a few weeks.
I know.
Anyway, Dad, Mom, M and I tried this restaurant a few days back.
Its called C2.
Its a Filipino Cuisine Inspired restaurant with twists in the menu.

We ordered their best seller (plus M and I love Tilapia fish)

Seared Tilapia in Coconut emulsion.
Tender Tilapia fillets served with pineapple salsa and creamy coconut sauce.
Eat together the fillet, potato shavings (i reckon), pineapple and top with the coconut sauce.
Burst of flavours in one bite!

Sizzling Bulalo Steak.

Tender beef shank smothered with creamy bulalo sauce with sweet corn and native petchay.
Beef lovers - this is your treat!

The fish and the beef are best matched with..

Dilis Rice.
Crispy baby dilis with annatto oil, stir fried into garlic fried rice.

For Dessert...

 And...

The first is Maja Mais con Yelo.
Corn, Milk plus some secret ingredient blended together and served with a straw instead of the traditional spoon.

The second one is Bibingka Souffle.
Light and fluffy blend of coconut custard, salted egg, quezo de bola, and toasted coconut.
As my mom put it "Yummy in my tummy!"



For a taste of Filipino food visit C2 Classic Cuisine at:
C2 Shangri-la
C2 Megamall
C2 Midtown
C2 Greenhills
C2 Summit Circle Hotel Cebu
C2 Summit Circle Hotel Tagaytay
C2 at Cravings Center Katipunan

For complete details visit their website here