Experience Astoria

Break muna sa travel post. Well.. I'll be leaving tomorrow anyway. Hihihi! Nauubusan na ko ng kwentong lakwatsa. I was scanning my camera to check if I have enough memory for my trip and found these. Tamad talaga akong mag delete ng pictures. To give you an idea, my Anilao trip with Chyng Reyes last September 2011 is still on my cam. My friend once scolded me saying "Uhmm. Maki! hindi mo ba alam ang salitang BACKUP!?!? Gusto mo i-brief pa kita?!?!" lol!

I got an invitation from Astoria Plaza Hotel before Christmas last year. I thought it was because of my blog or something. Ang feeling lang. hahaha! I found out it was my friend who referred me (Hi Mich! I miss you). E PG mode ako nun, so I grabbed that chance. Since it was a free buffet dinner for two, I immediately dragged my brother dahil sulit na sulit sa kanya ang mga ganyang kainang walang hanggan. hahahah! Peace..

They promised they would give me GC for an overnight stay in Bohol. Its validity is until March of this year. Who am I to refuse right? But there's a big BUT attached to it. I need to stay for 45 minutes after our dinner for a short presentation and tour around the hotel. Keri boom boom lang. So yun na!

My first meal

On buffet meal, my mom gave me these guidelines: (Oo.. Habang dumudukot ako ng pagkain, naiimagine ko siya. Parang siyang konsensiya sa SafeGuard soap commercial nung araw. hahaha!)

Mom: Rule #1: Don't eat rice and pasta (which I obviously violated. lol!)

Salad bar

 Mom: Rule #2: Try their salad at least once

Check!

Mom: Rule #3: Avoid soups. They have a special ingredient to make you feel full quickly. (Engk! I just did.)

Dessert

Mom: Rule #4: Avoid too much desserts. Sweets increases "Umay" factor. (My mom knows me well. Hindi pwedeng hindi ako dudukot pag may nakikita ako sa mesa. hahaha!)

Hindi ako nakapagpigil. hahah! Ayan at may kagat.

Mom: Rule #5: Eat just a small portion of everything else.

Me: Uhmm... How small is small kaya? ^_^


I'll leave it up to you if you think I followed the last rule. hahahah!

Moving on.. we were serenaded by.. uhmm... the singers?! lol! I don't know them. But their performance was superb. Ayoko pa sanang umalis ng may dumating ng pogi sa harap ko. Syempre sumama ako sa apaf! Mas yummy sya kesa sa pagkain. hahahah!

Wala siya diyan sa picture kung siya man ang hinanap mo..

He invited us to tour around their rooms. Bakit ko ba naisama sama ang brother ko. Panira ng jackpot moment. hahaha! Charot!

Imagine nyo na lang solo DAPAT kami sa ganitong lugar...hmp!

I was impressed. Great interior designs they got there. The space were maximized. The unit is following a minimalist mixed with tropical style. Aylabet! <3

Si Matet

That tall guy? akin siya! bwahahaha! The other guy is my brother... bored.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture of him. Shyness. Oh well... Let's all move on and get into the room..

For Kids only

The Master's Bedroom... hmmmmmm.. hahaha!

Overlooking Ortigas Center

After that, he started offering their membership and the privilege I can acquire through it. I almost said yes because attached to it are great discounts for my future travels locally and internationally. Unfortunately, I have other priorities and I don't really have something to give out that time. Just to make it up to them, I'm writing this entry now. hihihi! They gave me the gift certificate as promised though I didn't gave in to their offer. Still, I'd like to thank them you for the great experience.

Mukha lang akong mayaman pero hindi. Chos! If you're going to ask me if I will be using it, No. I'll be off somewhere in Mindanao tomorrow. Ciao! Until next time!

21

Wow! it's been awhile. Ang tamad ko pala. hahah! I can't think of any excuses right now. lol!

No, we won't be singing "♫Eh Eh eh eh eh eh tuweny won♫" here. And 21 is definitely not my age. hihihi! I found this fine dine restaurant in Bacolod along Lacson Street. Right after we went to the ever famous Ruins, which I will make a separate post, we headed here for a sumptuous dinner. Isa pang amoy mayaman. ^_^

Have you noticed Bob's reflection? Magkapit-bahay lang sila.

Hindi ko alam kung laganap ba ang ubusan ng pangalan dun. hihih! Ang ikli lang.

Ang dyaskeng kupita

Let me take you to there..

Pag pasok pa lang, alam ko ng alanganin na naman ang outfit ko. Casualan lang. But some of the other guests e pormal na pormal. Hindi ko alam kung bigla bang mamamatay ang ilaw pagkatapos namin kumain at lalabas ang mga DI mula sa CR para maghanap ng matronang isasayaw nila. Nakapustura halos lahat. Bawal ba talagang kumain ng hindi naka make-up?!?!?! Anyway, hindi ko naman na sila makikita kahit kelan kaya pinilit kong dedmahin. hahaha! Pero sa totoo lang, ni hindi ako makatayo sa kinauupuan ko para lang mag CR. Hiyang hiya ako ate charo. hahahaha!

Hindi pala kami nag-iisa.. Hi manong! hahah!

Minsan, kahit sa mall.. bat ganun? Kahit nakapang bahay lang ang mga mayayaman na yan, hindi maipagkakailang mayaman sila. Weird. Nasa tabas ba ng baba? Nasa kuko ba? Nasa pwesto ba ng wrinkles? Ewan ko ba..

Wala lang. Gusto ko lang magkaron ng ganito sa kwarto ko

I made it to the rest room. Pag balik, I had the chance to take a picture of the other side. Nagpose si kuya waiter. hihihi! Sabihin ko sana yung pagkain ang pipicturan ko at nakahalang siya e, pero naaliw ako sa kanila.

Sabay tanong kung para san daw yung picture.. lol!

Mango Salad (P150.00)

Herb Chicken (P190.00)

Molo Soup (80.00 each)

Yum sarap sarap! I highly recommend all those three. For the herb chicken, ayun pinalutang ko lang sa gravy. KFC?!? hahah! Just don't be shy to ask for more ok? I did. For the mango salad, that's the best I've ever tasted so far. Molo soup is also a super must try. Actually yun ang pinaka-favorite ko sa tatlo.

Happy Tummy!

We only spent a total of exactly P 500.00 for this meal. Not bad para sa bonggang ambiance, masarap na pagkain at magandang serbisyo. Woot woot! Until next food trip!

Bacolod: Calea Pastries & Coffee

This is one of the reasons why I chose to spend a day in Bacolod. Before, my birthday wouldn't be complete without a chocolate cake. I really thought naka-graduate na ko sa ganung klase ng celebration. I was wrong. Hihihi! Sensiya na, hindi maikukubli ang katakawan. lol! Marami na kong naririnig na papuri sayo Bruhang Calea. Oras mo na! hahah! (parang mang-aambush lang)

Calea can be found along Lacson Street near L' Fisher Hotel and Saltimboca Inn. Magkakapit-bahay lang yan.  Actually they also have a branch in Robinson's Bacolod but Lacson is just within our vicinity. Lalayo pa ba kami?

That's my mom! Excited lang?

First thing I noticed, they have excellent exterior and interior design. Isa pa, amoy mayaman at hindi ganong crowded given that it's lunch time and people should come rushing for desserts. Anyway, pabor sakin. Ayokong kumakain sa lugar na first time ko lang at maraming tao. May phobia ako sa pag-order. Sesegway lang ako saglit, pigilan ang tumutulong laway ok? lol! 

Before, I tried to eat sa isa sa mga fine dining restaurant sa Greenbelt. Social Climber mode. I asked for the menu. Bothered ako dahil konti lang ang alam kong familiar na pagkain. If I had a choice aatras na ko e, kaya lang nabigyan na kami ng complimentary drinks sa goblet (na hirap na hirap pa kong hawakan). Yung ibang pagkain, alam ko naman, kaya lang I don't know how to pronounce it so pano ako oorder?!? hahah! Pambihira! Kakain na lang pahihirapan pa ko. hahah! Tahimik kami ng friend ko at nakikinig sa kabilang table na may umoorder din. Eavesdropping. Baka keri nila sabihin ng maayos at makatulong saming mga may speech deficiency. Pero bingi talaga kami kaya useless. So we ended up with...

Me: "Uhmm... can I have this one? and that one.. and also that one"

Ayun nagmistulang turo turo ang menu. hahaha! Kaya simula nun, I always ask for the best selling ones na lang para ang waiter na lang bahalang magka-pili-pilipit ang dila. hahah! Hmp!

Going back, nakita ko na ang cakes nila and I was so impressed ichura pa lang alam ko ng masarap... very pleasing to my eyes.

Tingnan niyo naman, parang walang kabawas bawas lahat. Inantay talaga ako. hahaha! Joke.

Sinimulan ko ng ilabas ang kodigo na kinuha ko sa blog ni Marx. hahah! A lady who's taking our order noticed me and smiled.

Me: "Isang order nga pong.. White Chocolate Uhm..." (sabay silip sa kodigo) ".. ah cheesecake"

Lady: "Hihihi! Uhm.. Sige mam akina lang po yung listahan niyo. Ako na ang bahala."

Whew! Paksiyet. Napahiya pa ko. hahaha! But thanks to her. Sayang I forgot to ask for her name.

Pagkadating ng order, mangani-ngani kong pitpitin ang kamay ni mama dahil gusto na niyang kainin agad ng hindi pa napipicturan. hahah!Actually, I almost forgot that I have to blog this once in a blue moon chibugan galore. Salamat sa flash ng camera sa likod ng table namin. When our order was served, gusto ko ng sagpangin agad lahat. hahah! Rawwr!

Choco Mud Pie (it's muddy indeed)

Mama, kahit gano ka pa ka-behave sa picture, hindi maipagkakailang may mantsa na ang tinidor. Halatang hindi nakapag-pigil. hahaha! 

Get your camera ready after eating this. Panalo ang moment. Sabit sabit at namumulaklak sa tinga ng chocolate bits. hihihi!

White Chocolate Cheesecake

Wala talaga akong ka-talent talent sa food presentation. Hahah! Pauso ko lang ang "pahid" strawberry syrup. Nakita ko lang sa mga Junior Master Chef pag kinakalat nila yung sauce ng mga pagkain bago ipa-taste test sa judges. hahah! Fail.

Chocolate Cake (Obviously)

I should have brought a candle with my age on top of the cake slices. With matching party hats tapos si mama ang kakanta ng happy birthday. hihihi! Sayang.

Walang kaabog-abog, we dug in. And it's oh so yummy talaga. Worth it ang side trip. As usual, cakes should be partnered with brewed coffee so we ordered 2 cups. Yun ata yung pinakamura. Wag ng haluan ng sugar dahil wala ka rin naman malalasahan sa tamis ng cakes. Among those, I must say Chocolate Cake pa rin ang nagwagi for me. Ang bias lang e no. Hahah! Hindi ko alam kung psychological din ba yun. Good thing my mom love the rest. That's what I like about her. Walang nasasayang. Siya ang tiga-ubos ng tira tira ko. hahaha! Peace Ma! Madali kasi ako maumay sa sweets.

Ang classic dun.. cake price ranges from 85.00 to 100.00 only. If Bacolod was our last stop, I would definitely bring home a box of chocolate cake. 

I felt a pound was added to my butanding body weight. (..and I never felt guilty.) 

Thank you mama at hindi mo binitiwan ang mga katagang "Pwedeng Tumingin, Bawal Tumikim" sa mga oras na yun. hihihi! Hanggang sa susunod na food trip!

Up next, ang paghahanap sa nawawalang Pension House namin. Abangan!

A Crepeeey Weekend

Usapang pagkain to. Wala lang ako maisip na title e. Hihihi!

Wala to sa plano because I'm actually preparing myself to have a pretty nice bod to expose this summer. Naks! (As if may karapatan hahaha!) I noticed some ingredients on my fridge were about to expire. Kesa sila ang masira... e si diet na lang. Medyo may kamahalan din kasi. I made two types or crepe. Langka and Mango. The raw fruits alone e nakakademonyo na kumbaga. Two of my favorites. This is actually the first time I will share a dessert recipe. Chaka na yung iba, baka mas maging yummy na ang blog ko kesa sakin. hahahaha! joke. Presenting my very own mango and langka crepes..

O diba ang saya? I just drizzled it with malapit ng maexpire na chocolate syrup and whipped cream. It would

be better if you will top it with langka. Or yung whipped cream na may shape shape sa end ng tube. Mas cute. Wala ako nun e. hihihih!

Ready ka na ba gumawa ng version mo? Charaaaan!


INGREDIENTS
Batter:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 eggs
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
½ kilo of chopped jackfruit
1 1/2 cups whipped heavy cream

Directions
1. Sift flour and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet. Add about 3 tablespoons batter. Tilt skillet so that batter spreads to almost cover the bottom of skillet. Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other side. Repeat process with remaining batter, grease skillet as needed.
3. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet. Stir in brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened. Add the chopped jackfruit to skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning sauce over them. Remove from heat.
4. Put the filling inside each crepe then roll it. Place on serving platter.

Dahil maarte nga ako, may mango din. Same procedure lang kung pano ko ginawa yung sa jackfruit.

Enjoooy and have a yummy weekend too!

Katakawan Series: Ayala Triangle Restos

Pagkain. Tinatakam talaga ako lately. Buntis daw ba ako sabi ng officemates at panay na panay ang cravings. Salamat sa mga post ni Marx. Ang isang bilbil kong kakapanganak lang ay alay ko sa kanya. Hmp! Hihihi! It was just last Christmas I learned about Ayala Triangle Restos. Malapit lang siya sa office kaya kada uwian hindi ko malabanan ang temptasyon (what a word). Sinimulan ko silang isa-isahin. Parang karinderya lang. I already ate in Omakase, Kanin Club and now Amici. May pito pa atang resto na natitira dun. Well I still have lots of time... hihihi!

Obviously...

Chorizo e Spinachi

Spaghetti Ai Tesori del Mare

I ordered for Spaghetti Alla Carbonara Pasta too pero hindi na siya inabutan ng camera. Nasunggaban na kaagad ng mga kasama ko. But I recommend that one promise. A must try definitely. Their servings are good for sharing pero tingin ko hindi ko na kailangan ng ka-share... kaya kong ubusin lahat.

Time for gelatoooo. Woot woot! It's what I enjoyed the most. Dati rati Blueberry cheesecake lang ang madalas kong orderin. (Yun lang kasi kilala ko. hahaha!) Oh well did I mention yun lang naman ang kaya kong gawing dessert.. maniwala ka. Price ranges from 55 to 70 lang per slice. And since first time ko dito, nagturo lang kami depende sa ichura nila sa picture sa menu and it didn't fail me. Surap!!! (sarap sa presyong sulit). 

Choco Sansrival

Mango Sansrival

Banana Blast (halos wala akong nakitang bakas ng banana)

Omakase naman!!

The ever famous tempura

Dynamite Roll

 I was never a fan of maki kahit pa yan ang tawag sakin sa office. Hindi ko sila feel kainin dahil may aning aning na kulay itim na tiyak na maglalagay ng tinga sa ngipin ko. Ewan ko ba kung bakit prone ako sa tinga. Classic social disaster talaga. Isa pa mabubusog kasi ako agad. E dahil masiba ako at gusto ko matikman lahat, hindi bagay sakin ang mga ganitong pagkain. Pero this time I tried it. I became an instant fan at gusto ko na siyang araw arawin. 

Momoiro Udon (Medyo kakaiba. Ganyan lang ichura niya pero masarap din)

Dapat may Kanin Club portion e pero I forgot to bring my cam. Chaka, sorry to say pero hindi rin ako gaanong na satisfied dun. They serve pinoy favorite dishes. Masarap magluto ang nanay ko kaya I set my expectations very high when it comes to pinoy dishes. Yung tipong, masasabi kong sa resto talaga ako kumain, at hindi sa bahay. Pero nabusog din ako ng sobra. Yun yun.

I'm uber satisfied sa first two. Kala ko mga sosyal lang ang keri ang mga ganitong kainan, hindi rin pala. Or should I say baka sosyal na nga ako? hahaha! Joke lang.

Photo credit to my friend Oyis to all Omakase Pics and Kane Daniel for lending me his cam sa Amici.