MENDOKORO RAMENBA (BGC)

Once upon a time before the pandemic....

It was the Yub's birthday week and as much as we wanted to have loads of celebrations (like what we would do before), we didn't have a choice but to end it after a week because the Covid-19 situation was making everyone nervous.

For the last official celebration though, the Yub and I decided that since it's most likely that we'll not go out in a LOOOOONG time, we should go somewhere that is best eaten at the actual restaurant and not just via take out. So burgers or anything fast food is out of the question (Drats! It's going to be my treat pa naman). Ha ha ha ha!

With that, the obvious choice was RAMEN because soup and noodles were always best consumed as soon as it was served. Also, even if they have all of the Ramen kits in the market, it's still not the same as when you have the actual chefs cook it for you. 

And of course if there was one place where we'll have Ramen it's going to be our favorite  -- MENDOKORO RAMENBA!!!

To think that our dinner there would be our last family outing in a loooooooooooooong time (like 4 months and counting).

 

WOHOO! We're out for some Ramen!!!!

OF BASKETBALL AND CHILI'S!!!

Once upon a time before the pandemic...

The Chinese Panget loved playing basketball (he used to be in their varsity team in high school and college) and would play if time permitted. He cannot do so as much as he wanted now because of work and also, because medyo tanders na sya and his friends, it's difficult to find playmates (ha ha ha ha).

That's why when his Rotary Club (Makati group) invited him to join their team, the Yub gave an immediate yes. He missed the competition and the exercise. At least he won't be pressured too much because the other players will be in same age group. He he he he!

So for one Saturday, THE YAPPY BUNCH joined the Yub's first game to give our noisy support. Afterwards he said we'll have dinner and make a real family night of it.

Yun lang he said that what we eat depends on if he wins or not.

Kekekweng kweeeeng!!!!   

It's basketball time!!!!!

BENCH CAFE (GREENBELT)

One night, ERICJAZ FOODIES set out to meet up with Team Mina for dinner. After a looooooooooooooooong discussion where to meet up (mostly from Manong Fred), we ended up in BENCH CAFE!

I have heard many raves about BENCH CAFE that my hungry and curious tummy got its force awakened (he he he he). Originally I was going to veer away from Filipino food tonight (because I was watching my carb intake) but since I wanted to try this out SOOOO much, I forgot about my initial aversion to rice.

IPPUDO RAMEN (GREENBELT)

Believe it or not but between the two of us, it's the Yub whose food cravings we always follow.

Yep. You better believe it kapeng mainit.

The Yub kasi is a picky eater who has A MILLION specifications on the food that he'll eat (he's like Sally in When Harry Met Sally pero intsik... and a GUY!!!!). As for me, I'll eat anything that's why when we go on dates or making plans with friends, I'm always like "I'm fine wherever you guys like." Of course I have food cravings din but the Yub has MORE, and he's actually a bit annoying when he pushes for it. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

One night, he was REALLY craving for Ippudo. As in REALLY. Whatever I say to him, he'll answer in the name of Ramen:

Me: "Yub, labas tayo mamaya nila Mariane."
Yub: "San tayo? Sa Ramen?"

Me: "Yub Greenbelt tayo mamaya ha? 8pm"
Yub: "Tamang tama, may Ramen sa Greenbelt."

Me: "Yub, ang init ngayon no?"
Yub: "Buti na lang may aircon sa Ippudo."

SEE WHAT I MEAN???!!!

Hay naku sometimes I have these evil thoughts to intentionally go somewhere else just to spite him. Either that or sarap nya basta batukan. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Yup. Model wife di ba?

ANYWAY....

So one night, we'll be meeting with Manong Fred and the BGP Mariane. And, you guessed it, we went to IPPUDO RAMEN to answer Yub's insane craving. I know that normally, Ramen restaurants are not ideal when it comes to meeting up with friends because you have to eat and go. With IPPUDO however since they have many items in the menu, we were all able to join our cravings that night (ESPECIALLY THE YUB) and stay for more chika!

IPPUDO!!!

OMG ang cute ko dito. He he he he he!

ITALIANNI'S AND THE BGP IS BACK!!

If you've been following my silly little online journal (ay kawawa ka naman hija!!!) you would know that 2017 was a very hard year for me.

For one, I lost my Dad, so life will never be complete again. Secondly, my Best Gal Pal (or BGP) Mariane discovered she had breast cancer while on a vacation in the US so she stayed there much longer than expected for her treatment.

Imagine expecting your best friend to be gone for only 2 months then learning that you wouldn't see her for more than a year? Ayayay!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a very difficult time for both of us because we cannot be for each other during those painful moments. During my Dad's wake, she was undergoing different examinations for her condition. At times when I wanted to pour out my heart-aches to her (as I would often do), I'd hesitate because I didn't want to burden her further (though she said it was okay). Hay. We may always talk on viber and messenger, but it was not the same and I wished for her return ASAP. I just consoled myself with the fact that it didn't matter how long she stays there as long as she's getting better. 

Though it was so hard to be away from each other during that painful time, I guess it just made our bond closer. We may have been thousands of miles away but we still felt each other's love and concern. You may say that it just made our BGP-hood stronger and really eternal. It's indeed proven that we're best friends in good and bad times, no matter the distance.

When she told me that she's finally cancer-free, hay naku! It was such a happy day! We were laughing and crying at the same time. FINALLY!!! Her Dad overhead us talking and he said "Ayan, magkikita na kayo ng best friend mo!" We were like college girls who got so kilig at the thought.

So finally she arrived but not at the date I was expecting: She and her hub Manong Fred didn't tell me that they are actually going home at an earlier date because they wanted to surprise me with the Chinese Dimpol as their accomplice.  

But I guess we were such BGP's that malayo pa lang I already saw her!!

KIMPURA GREENBELT (2018)

Let me start off by saying I'm really annoyed now.

I already did a draft of this blogations and finished it already. Now for SOME WEIRD AND MIND-BLOGGING reason, it disappeared and what I got were 2 COPIES of ANOTHER blogpost!!!!! How the freak did that happen???

@#$%^&&

Now since I don't have a photographic memory like the other geniuses out there, I HAVE TO REWRITE THE WHOLE THING!!!! Egad! My big forehead can't handle all that thinking!!!!

If I'm in front of you I would gladly dramatize my sarcasm and anger with actions. He he he he he he...

ANYWAY..... 

(Using my sweet voice na) It's the actual day of my 33rd birthday (tee hee) and after mass, I invited my family to a Japanese dinner treat in our favorite.....

Yup! You guessed it!

KIMPURA!

Yup! It's ALWAYS going to be at KIMPURA. 

But this time though, we're going to be at their Greenbelt branch because their Greenhills restaurant closed down (it will be transferred to another location).

BULGOGI BROTHERS WITH MY MOMMY

One Saturday, THE YAPPY BUNCH took out my Mom for lunch. She said she was in the mood for some Korean food, and since we also wanted to do some shopping in the triad of malls in Makati (Landmark, Glorietta, and Greenbelt), we thought of going to...

BULGOGI BROTHERS KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT!

BULGOGI BROTHERS was not the typical Korean restaurant with the usual eat-all-you-can promos. They had a more upscale setting but still offered the affordable and delicious barbecue!

RECIPES WITH TEAM CAMPO

The YAPPY BUNCH got a "raket" one Saturday courtesy of my mareng Gail.

What's our "raket" you may ask? Secret!

"Di ko sasabihin pero kung pipilitin, sasabihin din!" He he he he he eh!

Anyway, that "raket" got us hungry. And since we were in Makati, we cannot think of another place to go to that serves delicious comfort food that was also pocket friendly... 

RECIPES!!!!

TGI FRIDAYS (AGAIN) WITH MY COLLEGE FRIENDS

Whenever my college friends and I getogether, it has become an unwritten rule that we should always plan a dinner at our favorite TGI FRIDAYS! Call it sentiment or what for the restaurant we always used to go to 20 years ago (yup that long) but another reason of course is that we cannot resist helping ourselves with some of their famous Chicken Fingers when we can!

The Crazy Girls at TGI FRIDAYS!!!!

TACO TUESDAYS AT CHIHUAHUA!!!!

When it comes to our best friends BGP Marian and Manong Fred, we don't pick a day in the week when we'll meet them: it could be on "Date Night Saturdays" because they're one of our favorite couples in the world, and on "Family Sundays" because they're already like family!

When we have to meet on a weekday though, we recently designated a new day for us just because it has become our favorite night for grubbing...

TACO TUESDAYS!!!!

And where do we do that? In CHIHUAHUA!!!!

Ole!

MY RAMEN NAGI SATURDATE WITH MATI

Remember how Master Mati cancelled our Fridate plans the last minute that little Andrei took me out instead? Well he got guilty when he discovered that I was going to be lonely on Saturday. He then remembered how his Daddy told him to take care of me while he was away for a business trip in Indonesia.

Chinese Dimpol (mahangin hangin pa): "Mati.... tek ker op your Mommy....."

My first born declared that we would go out for a Saturdate and I was so happy.  Besides my husband, I cannot imagine going out with anyone else! And his choice venue for tonight? Greenbelt!

Where in Greenbelt? RAMEN NAGI!

Because we were both craving for some noodles!!!

RECIPES WITH TEAM MINA

The Chinese Dimpols recently had a business trip to Indonesia. And even if I sometimes want to wring his neck, his short absence made me miss him terribly and proved how I couldn't live without him.

Yuuuuckkkkk.....

Yeah. To the point that when he came back I was all sad and "wawa" when I said "Don't ever leave na ha..."

Yuuuuckkkkkkk some more with matching nausea!!!!!! Blech! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYWAY, when he left on a Sunday, my Best Gal Pal BGP Mariane with her crummy hubby Manong Fred came to my rescue and took me out immediately on a Monday. Dear BGP was craving for some "Chicharon Bulaklak" and we know the only place where we can't have enough of THAT....

RECIPES!!!!!!

PEKING GARDEN AGAIN!!

Just in case you plan to eavesdrop in my conversations with Manong Fred and Best GalPal Mariane (because you have nothing more pathetic to do)  you would soon see a pattern in it...

"You're going to treat for your bday? Let's do PEKING DUCK!"
"It's Friday!!!! Treat us to PEKING DUCK!"
"Nang-indyan ka sa gimik? TREAT US TO PEKING DUCK!!!!"
"Awwww... You have a wart? TREAT US TO PEKING DUCK!!!"

The PEKING DUCK at PEKING GARDEN is such a delicacy for us four that it has already invaded all senses of our consciousness. It's like EVERYTHING has to be about PEKING DUCK and we won't shut up about it until this deep craving has been answered. The last time we all had it was during Manong Fred's birthday dinner for his Mom, and life was not the same ever since.

Finally when Manong Fred was deciding where to have BGP Mariane's surprise birthday party, PEKING GARDEN'S name came up. It should really be a natural choice since it IS my dear friend's favorite and therefore so perfect for her 40th birthday dinner. Besides being excited for my best gal pal's special day, we were all ecstatic that we are going to have a night with our favorite PEKING DUCK.

Ah yes. And life is beautiful again.

And crispy...
And fatty...
And meaty...
And juicy....
And just perfect.

Oh PEKING DUCK! Why can't we quit you????

PEKING GARDEN!!!!

OF HANSEL AND GRETEL, AND MUSEUM CAFE!

For seven years now, THE YAPPY BUNCH attended Repertory Philippine's kiddie theater organized by Don Bosco Elementary School. Attendance is required but even if we could just buy tickets for our boys, the Chinese Dimpol and I choose to make it a family event that  we look forward to yearly.

And for last year's 2016, it was HANSEL AND GRETEL!

It was free seating and the lines were already very long even if we arrived an hour before the show.

OF WEIRDNESS AND CHILI'S P999 CRAZY DEAL!!!!

One Tuesday, I was tasked to buy something for work in the Greenbelt area. With that, I left the office early to head out to Makati because knowing the traffic situation these days, I might get to the store at midnight. On the way there, I decided to call BGP Marian and Manong Fred to join me for dinner with the Chinese Adonis (who was going to pick me up after my company driver leaves). Of course the first question that came forth right after I belted out the invitation was....

Where are we going to eat???

Though we have a lot of favorites in Greenbelt, Makati City, there was only one clear candidate that night -- CHILI's!!! It has forever been the favorite of me and the Chinese Dimpol's because it's where we met (yuk). And since I introduced it to BGP Mariane and Manong Fred (as an alternative to another favorite, TGIFRIDAYS), it has been on the top of their list as well.

Of course, one of the factors why we were raring to go to CHILI'S on a weekday is their P999.00 promo. Would you believe that for that affordable price,  we could share one (1) tasty appetizer and two (2) full-size entrees????

Yuh - uh... And THIS crazy deal was available for Mondays to Fridays!

So since it was a Tuesday....

CHILI'S is coming....

in our bellies!!!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!

ST. MARC CAFE (GREENBELT)

Best Gal Pal Marian and Manong Fred are back from the US and after our dinner at RAMEN NAGI, we just have to HAVE some dessert.

Because why wouldn't we right? For us, the chatting for dinner isn't always enough so we will always continue the "party" with DESSERT.

And for tonight, the choice was ST. MARC CAFE!!!!

I was so fine with ST. MARC CAFE because it had something for everyone -- it had ice cream, pastries, and coffee. Such a perfect dessert place!

Have trouble making up your mind what to get? Check out the faux food that they got out front. Their models are enough to make you drool at the windows.

ST. MARC CAFE is not like your usual cutesie patootsie dessert place. The lighting was dim and dark hues dominate the restaurant. It's really more like a bar but trust me, the sweets here are AWESOME!

WELCOME BACK DINNER FOR BGP MARIAN AT RAMEN NAGI!!!!

YIHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

THE BGP MARIAN is here!!! FINALLY! After about 3 months of being apart...

SHE...

IS...

HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME BACK BGP MARIAN!!!

I missed you so much!!!

FINALLY you're here and I'M SO HAPPY!!!

(Didn't care much about Manong Fred though.)

PEKING GARDEN

Sometime last March, 2016, Manong Fred invited THE YAPPY BUNCH for dinner at PEKING GARDEN to celebrate his Mom's 80th birthday.

Even though Manong Fred could be SO annoying...
Even though he makes MY life miserable....
Even though he would ALWAYS get between me and Best Gal Pal Marian....

I love his Mom, AND Peking Duck, so that means WE'RE GOING.

Yup! Sometimes you just HAVE to make sacrifices for the things you love AND crave for.

PEKING GARDEN!

PEKING GARDEN is located in level 4 of Greenbelt 5. It was just across KIMPURA.

KIMPURA GREENBELT

I know that I have already made a GAZILLION entries about KIMPURA and how I loved celebrating my birthdays there. But I cannot help it. HERE IS ANOTHER ONE. And this time, for the first time, ERICJAZ FOODIES are in KIMPURA GREENBELT to celebrate ANOTHER birthday to treat my BGP (Best Gal Pal) to some of our favorite dishes there.

And how was it dining at KIMPURA at the other side of the Metro?

TOTAL BLISS. It still had the same delicious and unforgettable food that I have come to obsess with for many, many years!

KIMPURA GREENBELT!!

KIMPURA is located in the 4th floor of GREENBELT 5 right besides PEKING GARDEN.

MY ITALIANNI'S BIRTHDAY!

It's MY BOITHDAY week and my BGP (Best Gal Pal) Marian and Manong Fred invited ERICJAZ FOODIES out for dinner the night before I turn 31!!!

Okay! Fine! 41!!!! But some people say I don't look like a day over 30.

By SOME people, I haven't really found them yet. But I'm sure they're out there. Somewhere.

Anyway, it's great that I was able to get out of work early because we'll be meeting my favorite duo all to Greenbelt.

AND my restaurant of choice that night?

ITALIANNI'S RESTAURANT!!!!