Champagne Room

Back in September, I was able to go to one of the restaurants I've wanted to try for the longest time: Champagne Room. This restaurant is located in Manila Hotel, the grand dame of hotels in Manila.

Manila Hotel had recently undergone some renovations and refurbishments, especially with its restaurants. Since Champagne Room has been on my restaurant list, that night  was the perfect occasion to find out what makes Champagne Room special.

J. CO Donuts & Coffee opens in Manila: Overrated?

 

J. CO Donuts opened in Manila through its first branch in Megamall just today. Luckily for me, I was already somewhere near the area, so I was able to actually witness as they opened their doors for the first time to the Filipino public.

Domestic Goddess: Tilapia & Salads

Two weekends ago, I cooked. Now, this wouldn't be remarkable for other people but for someone like me (who doesn't even know how to cook rice), it was certainly a feat.   And this was for no other explanation than because I was suddenly inspired to practice my skills on the domestic front.

Cafe Publico

I made another resto discovery last week: Cafe Publico, which opened in Promenade, Greenhills just over the holidays.  When I saw the interiors of the restaurant, I was instantly taken in. It seems to be inspired by public squares in Italy (which I simply love), complete with a mini lionhead fountain and a sky-painted ceiling, bringing the look of the outside in.

Weekend Snippets

 

Just a few snaps from the wonderfully packed weekend.  Friday,  I was able to go the Brown Bag Vintage & Crafts Market, where I finally met Mikka of A Mischmashed Life whose blog I've been following for quite some time now. Even better, I got first dibs (and a discount too!) on the latest pieces from Carioca, a line of kimonos and caftans that she started with her sister (read about it here).  I got the Caravelas kimono in cotton fabric in my favorite animal print pattern and another one in silk fabric with a surprisingly gorgeous stripes print.  

I also came across other serendipitous finds at the bazaar, like cat-eye vintage Italian shades and handmade leather and fabric bracelets (so perfect for arm parties!).  Another favorite fab find of mine was Alunsina Handbound Books, where I scored a fully handmade journal with genuine cowhide leather only at P500!  I still open the journal from time to time just to savor the wonderful smell of the leather :).

Then dinner at Ayala Triangle Gardens with my friends ANT and S., who work near the area (and I was so engrossed with our chismis/ conversation that I forgot to take a picture!)  Then it was off to Midnight Mercato at BGC, where I went on a food trip while welcoming a friend's birthday. 

Saturday, I treated myself to lunch at Mamou in Serendra, where I remembered why their Lorenzo's Truffle Cream pasta is my favorite and of course, why their Angus Ribeye steak is one of the best in the city. Then the meal was capped off with Mamou's key lime pie (but eaten at Cafe Mary Grace, one of my favorite places for coffee). 

Sunday was spent enjoying the rainy day at home, in pajamas for most of the whole day and a good book.  It was a wonderful weekend.Hope you all had a good one too! :)

Sweet Weekend

Double chocolate chip cookie at the Marks and Spencer Bakery

Saturday was spent literally indulging in the sweets life has to offer and Sunday, getting back on track. Sometimes, we just have to give in and live life ---I just wish it didn't have to mean holding ourselves back on most days to make up for the indulgence.

Five Things Friday

{Longchamp Le Pliage Love}

Inspired by Cupcakes and Cashmere, today is my first Five Things Friday post---a post of things that are making my day, inspiring me, and making me happy this week.

This week is all about rediscovering the basics and at the same time, indulging in a bit of adventure. Like finally giving in to the basic chicness of Longchamp Le Pliage totes (and amassing my new collection in just a few short weeks). And then, rediscovering Cyma's Roka Salata---a salad that reinforces my goal to eat healthy. Also, reinforced the necessity of a natural eyeshadow palette (a girl cannot live without at least one). This week was also about obsessing over George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Indulging in this fantasy series made me rediscover my first love---reading. And finally, what could be more exciting than booked airline tickets? :) Here's to a great weekend and week ahead, filled with happiness and love! Cheers! :)

{The to-die for Roka Salata via}


{3 girls, 3 brands, 1 basic natural palette}


{The series that will be another classic for this generation. I want to finish this before the series shows on HBO Asia!}


{Looking forward to another holiday coming up this week!}

Size Matters

One weekday afternoon, work in the office was called off for the day due to heavy rains. Then later on, the sun pleasantly surprised us with an appearance. So it was the perfect time to head over once again to the Scout/ Tomas Morato area in Quezon City. There was a new burger place in the well-known foodie area called Size Matters. And not just a plain old burger place but is specializing in sausage burgers.

Lugang Cafe

One Monday, when my mom was in Manila a few weeks back, I treated her and my aunts to lunch in Lugang Cafe in Connecticut Street, Northeast Greenhills. Lugang is the newest kid on the block when it comes to Chinese restaurants in the Greenhills/ San Juan area---a good alternative to the classic Gloria Maris in Greenhills Shopping Center (a verified institution there), as well as the newer Choi Garden along Annapolis.

Shiok and Greenhills

The first Shiok I tried was in Bonifacio Global City near my previous workplace. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they have recently opened in the San Juan neighborhood at Promenade in Greenhills. So one weekend, in between shopping and some supermarket errands, I was able to try out Shiok.

Zucchini's

One Saturday, I had lunch in Zucchini's, an elegant fine dining restaurant located along a quiet area of Scout Tuason in Quezon City. We scored a deal for Zucchini's Certified Angus Beef rib eye steak over at Deal Grocer, with the voucher costing only P1,875 for a 550 gram rib eye steak.

Reader Request: More Happy Lemon Please!

 

The Happy Lemon branch in Promenade, Greenhills is still very much all the rage. Post-dinner Saturday night, it was packed and the line snaked all the way outside. People here love their Happy Lemon!

Serenitea in North Greenhills

I must say that out of all the tea shops that have cropped up recently, Serenitea remains one of my go-to favorites. I guess it's because it was really the first tea shop where I've come to like tea and milk tea drinks. My Serenitea branch is the one along J. Abad Santos in San Juan because it's the one nearest my house. But the space is so cramped and can get super crowded, especially on weekends.

So, it was so nice to learn that Serenitea has a new branch also in the San Juan area---right inside North Greenhills.  While it's not airconditioned, the plus with this branch is that it's much much bigger and with more seats than the one on J. Abad Santos! And don't worry, there are air coolers and misters all over the place.

I had my usual these days---large Hazelnut Tea Latte with Splenda (P110). I really appreciate that they provide Splenda with their drinks, at P5 per sachet.   My friends had classic Hokkaido Milk Tea.

And I like the fact that it's located right next to the tennis court, which gives the whole place a more charming atmosphere, as if you're in a school cafeteria. A cool cup of Serenitea milk tea, a lazy afternoon, and easy company. It was a perfect end to the weekend :)

You can park your cars outside North Greenhills then walk to Serenitea North Greenhills from the gate. Enjoy! :)

More Tea Fever: Chatime is Now on Wilson Street, San Juan!

News Flash! Chatime is now open along Wilson Street in San Juan---as in they just opened this afternoon! As I blogged about before here, I discovered Chatime a few months ago and have come to love its authentic tea flavors. And now it's so nice to learn that a new branch of Chatime has opened in my neighborhood :)

And it's even better than the Banawe branch because the Wilson branch is way bigger, and with more seating. However, just like in the Banawe branch, parking is still limited though. :( At night, you can probably park in the bank right across the street.

Here's a shot of their menu as shown in the LCD screen (will still scan copy of menu & upload here). Please click to enlarge.
And here are their recommended drinks. We ordered the Matcha Tea Latte and the Pearl Milk Tea.

It was my first time to try the Matcha and I loved it!

As for my Splenda concerns, I was glad to learn that they will readily put Splenda in my drink. However, I have to bring my own Splenda though, which is fine by me :).

Looks like Chatime Wilson will give the Serenitea branch just around the corner (along J. Abad Santos) a run for its money. We will definitely watch out who will be crowned the winner of this standoff. The tea turf war in San Juan is on! :) Cheers! :)

If you're coming from Ortigas, Chatime Wilson is on the right side of the street. It's after McDonald's, which is on the left side.

Gong Cha in Mall of Asia

Since we were already in Mall of Asia (MOA) for dinner, we decided to try Gong Cha, the famous tea shop from Hong Kong, which has recently opened in MOA. I have read posts from Pinoy bloggers like Shoot First Eat Later raving about the tea from Gong Cha in Hong Kong. Let's see if it's really good.

Wai Ying Fastfood and other food trips in Binondo, Manila

I got to eat at Wai Ying again with Aissa and her sister May when we did our Visita Iglesia. The first time I tried Wai Ying was also my first Visita Iglesia, and also with Aissa way back in 2009.

To get to Wai Ying from Ongpin (from the Manila-Beijing Friendship Bridge), turn right on Salazar Street then turn right again on the first corner, which is Benavidez Street, on the right side of which is where Wai Ying Fastfood is located.

The cold blast of airconditioning was a welcome treat as we walked in from the humid summer heat. Wai Ying has two airconditioned floors, although the dining place can be quite narrow. If you're looking for ambiance, what you'll be getting is an authentic, no-bones about it Chinese dimsum/"short order" eatery. This is Binondo, the heart of Manila Chinatown, and no doubt about it, this is as authentic down-to-earth Chinese as you can get.

As you can see from the menu shots below (click to enlarge), the prices are really cheap.

But even with the cheap prices, you won't get cheap quality. In fact, Wai Ying really has good, dimsum and Chinese food :)

Siomai (P60) pictured above and Sharksfin dumpling (P60)

Lemon Chicken

Fish Fillet

Radish cake (P55)

Yang Chow fried rice

Next to Wai Ying, there's a stall selling fried siopao at P25 each and they're also a must-try!

Other food treats during our Visita Iglesia in Binondo:
Streetside watermelons

Suman (rice cake)

The classic Eng Bee Tin hopia & other yummy treats

Aissa and May also introduced me to another bakery in the area, Salazar Bakery, which has really good packed goodies and breads, perfect for pasalubong :)

And they even have hopia for long life!

And finally, we cooled off the hot afternoon by having black gulaman drinks in good old Chowking :)

Good, cheap food. Good finds. And good friends. Not to mention some soul-cleansing. Certainly a great way to spend the day. =)

Wai Ying Fastfood
Benavidez Street, Binondo Manila
Open from 7 AM to 2 AM

Salazar Bakery
Ongpin Street, Binondo, Manila