HYATT, CITY OF DREAMS - PART TWO (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

If you regularly read my blog (woe is you) you would have noticed by now that THE YAPPY BUNCH loves staycations! Yup! We could never have enough of them! Of course, we save first before we could schedule one and we also consider that there should be a special occasion for it. Then, when we do have enough budget, we have a family bonding weekend that is surely unforgettable. 

For me, these staycations are money worth spent because it is a different kind of long term investment. We may set aside money for education, insurance, basic necessities, and etc. But do save something that would ensure family experiences and togetherness. Believe me, these memories will last in your children until they grow up.

And I'm living proof of that!

For my 40th birthday, my husband treated THE YAPPY BUNCH for an overnight stay at HYATT, CITY OF DREAMS. For the first part of our weekend fun, we swam a lot and ate lot.

I wonder how different it would be for the second part?

Check it out!

HYATT, CITY OF DREAMS!

HYATT, CITY OF DREAMS - PART ONE (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

As part of my 40th birthday celebrations, my husband planned for a staycation for the YAPPY BUNCH as his birthday gift to me. I'm glad that the Chinese Adonis knows me very well and got me something that I would really, really like. Because yes, jewelry or expensive items could be the appropriate mark for the big 4-0 but I would rather have the whole family share in my happiness with these bonding experiences. For me, that makes turning a year older more special and significant.

So let's go online and book for another family getaway!

For this particular birthday weekend, my husband wanted to try out something that is new and different from where we would usually go to. We thought since Robert de Niro, Leonardo di Caprio, and Martin Scorsese have been showing their faces at us at many youtube ads, we subliminally got the message that we should try out the hottest and flashiest place in town...

So are we in?

OH YEAH WE ARE!

THE CITY OF DREAMS!

MORIELLI'S (TAGAYTAY CITY)

After my friends and I checked out from Hotel Kimberly in Tagaytay for my pre-birthday celebration, we headed out to MORIELLI'S for our late lunch. I haven't eaten there but my pogi bud Jonahs used to frequent the place so he strongly recommended to have our going home meal there.

MORIELLI'S!!!!

Hopefully they could make bigger signs than these. We almost missed it!

Mishoo Camp Campo!

If MORIELLI'S would get standees of our hottie likeness then I'm sure there would a rampage of traffic instantly.

 Tee hee!

If you think that MORIELLI'S is an Italian restaurant, think again! It is actually a combination of the name of the owner's parents Moriet and Gely! These two have been insanely in love ever since their high school days and there's no stopping them now. Some may doubt eternal bliss in love but this is the real deal! And believe it or not, I felt the warmth of what they had for each other in the vibe of the place!

Not for long though. Because somebody from our group is reeking weirdness.

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

IT'S MILLER TIME (FINALLY!)

ERICJAZ FOODIES was recently invited to the hottest "it" place in Metro Manila for the launch of this much awaited party drink -- MILLER GENUINE DRAFT!

To be honest, I am really much a party girl. I go more for get-togethers with friends/family that promises plenty of food and loads of conversation in a quiet "noise-free" room. HOWEVER, it is so different with the Chinese Adonis. Let's just say that he may be all quiet and gentlemanly on the outside but inside, there's a frat boy just waiting to explode and roar!

So naturally, the Chinese Adonis was quite excited to attend the launch of MILLER'S GENUINE DRAFT. He knew that tonight, he will get to see and be seen with Manila's coolest who will come together to have a first taste of MILLER DRAFT.

And I'm sure with a taste of this golden ice cold drink, you will agree that for a good time, in MILLER we trust! One chug and you'll know that the night is ALWAYS far from over. 

From Miller Genuine Draft Philippines

Oh yeah. I will say it.

It's (definitely) MILLER TIME! 

The view may be spectacular at 71 GRAMERCY....

But there is a "pot of gold" waiting for the hyper party-goer.

MILLER GENUINE DRAFT BEER! 

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL desserts (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

Even before my 40th birthday week, my BGP Marian would always tell me that she would treat me at TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL because she abso-frigginly loved their chocolate lava cake. She knew how much I am obsessed with chocolate that she also wanted me to try her new found favorite that was very fudgy, creamy, and oh soooo heavenly!

As they say, birds of the same feather love eating the same food together. Tee hee!

So after we got ourselves very full from the deliciousness of LUGANG CAFE, we got a bit of exercise by walking towards TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL. And yup, since we sweated a bit from that looong travel (tee hee) we felt so entitled to indulge.

And THAT we did in TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL.

Tee to the Hee!

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL!

(pant) (pant) FINALLY we made it! It was such a long walk from LUGANG CAFE to TODD ENGLISH!

If you think that TODD ENGLISH's "food hall" is something like a food court of cafeteria, you are so wrong!

LUGANG CAFE (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

Whenever it's my birthday, I would always meet up with my BGP (Best Gal Pal) Marian and her crazy husband, Manong Fred. No birthdays without meeting up these two will be complete for me. It's already etched in stone and cannot be removed from history.

Yup! Best friends should ALWAYS meet up on birthdays! 

So as part of my 40th birthday celebrations, I met up with dear BGP Marian and (ew) her hubby Manong Fred in SM Aura. Usually when we're at the newest mall of the SM franchise, we would usually slurp noodles at our favorite RAMEN NAGI. But we wanted to try something new and we were in the mood for some Chinese food. So we tried out the restaurant that is peering at us from RAMEN NAGI....

LUGANG CAFE!

My husband and I love Chinese food but we have never eaten at LUGANG CAFE. We have always passed by it going to RAMEN NAGI and would usually feel discouraged by the poshness of the place. 

You can't really blame us because they have 3 or more friggin chandeliers for crying out loud! 

KIMPURA (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

Once again it is my birthday and once again, we will eat at KIMPURA for dinner! It has actually been a tradition for me already to have my birthday dinner at my favorite Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant. My family may already be getting tired of it and there are more exciting restaurants out there. But we are eating at my favorite KIMPURA and that is final.

On my birthday actually, I was so worried because Pnoy wonderfully declared that Edsa and some streets will be closed due to the People Power Anniversary. Bollocks! That meant traffic jams here and there! Such was the horrendous traffic that morning that instead of going to Church and having our usual GLORIA MARIS birthday breakfast, we ended up in CIBO in Power plant Mall because our car did not budge at all! Que horror I know!

Good thing that the foodie gods understood my need to have my favorite on my birthday because by 4:00pm, the streets cleared up and it was easy peasy for the cars to go anywhere. Hooray! There you go!

Just goes on to show that if you drool about it, your wishes with come true.

With that, I know that KIMPURA and I are meant to be. Forever. He he he he he!

It's my birthday and the family is in KIMPURA!

RESTAURANT VERBENA (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

One of my 40th birthday celebrations was a weekend in Tagaytay City with my BP Group, a special set of friends whom I already consider as "family". And since it was my birthday, I get to choose where to have dinner that night (HA!!! Such power!!!).

I thought of going for RESTAURANT VERBENA of COUNTRY SUITES DISCOVERY TAGAYTAY since we enjoyed our evening there the last time.  Of course, besides the restaurant, I also requested everyone to dress up to make the night extra special. Don't worry. Dressing up is something my BP Group is fond of doing so that we'll look good in pictures (our first love. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

Now even if my friend Jonahs has already resigned as Country Suite's Resident Manager, his former staff still raved at his "visit" and really made sure that we will be fussed over during my birthday dinner. And WOW! We were spoiled the Country Suites way and our tummies were so happy from all the delicious food! Add to that, our non-stop chatter AND pictures all throughout the night!

What an awesome pre-birthday dinner! I wish I could turn 40 everyday! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

RESTAURANT VERBENA!

Yup! The award winning and must-visit restaurant in Tagaytay City!

Country Suite by Discovery is a quaint and cozy hotel that has less than 10 rooms to ensure peace, quiet, and privacy.