TAMPOPO

Just when you thought that we already have too many ramen houses in the metro, one more sprouts up challenging us hungry slurpers with their bowls of rich broth and noodles. But how could this new ramen joint be different from the numerous houses who claim to be the best at offering this bowl of heaven?

You'll always read the same things:

  BLANK simmers its broth for 50 million hours...

  BLANK gets its ingredients straight from the land of the rising sun itself...

  BLANK has food so good that diners don't care if it has a monster of a chef....

  BLANK is the most popular Ramen house in Japan!!!

 All BLANK and no BLANK makes BLANK a BLANK BLANK!

OOPS sorry... different movie. 

Well I am not really sure how TAMPOPO generally fares up compared to the other Ramen Houses that have already settled its brothy selves in the metro.  But I DO know that with one sip, I fell in love and there was no turning back.

I now present you with... TAMPOPO!

Oh please... do NOT even think of singing it with SHAGEDY SHAGEDY.... :P

TAMPOPO!

MIRACLE ART EXHIBITION in MANILA

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS...
I hope you have fun...
The near and the dear one...
The old and the young....

                              -- John Lennon

Unlike how we celebrated Christmas eve (see HERE) where we followed the tradition we hold most sacred, TEAM YAP now went for a different route in spending our day together as a family. Well I don't know about you, but this holiday season was also very tiresome that initially, I planned to spend the whole day with my husband in bed.

Now before porno music cues into your head (or my husband's har de har har), I meant that I will just SLEEP the whole day (you pervert... oops kidding don't block me).

Then, we remembered it would not be fair to the little lords to drag them into their parent's obscene laziness. Not only that, we also didn't want to be haunted by the words of John Lennon hoping that "we had fun". So amidst the Christmas hangover, we got up and decided to go out as a little family.

But where to? Certainly trips to the malls will be very ordinary on this special day. It should be a different experience for the kids!

And so we were led to the MIRACLE ART EXHIBITION! 

MIRACLE ART EXHIBITION in Manila!

OUR CHRISTMAS NIGHT 2013

One of the things which I'm sure you may be tired of reading about in this silly little foodie blog (besides us being fabulous and all... tee hee) is how I am a person who loves traditions. It's not like my parents imposed how they wanted to do these things on us but because what we did before as a family imprinted such happy memories on me that I also wanted my children to have the same experiences as well.

For Christmas 2013, amidst the challenges that our country faced and, on a totally trivial level, the warm weather we still have up to now, we celebrated our Lord's birthday ALMOST the same way we did as before.

No hotel getaways away from home....

No  revelations that Santa is not real...

and most important of all...

No one was "absent" on this special night.

HOWEVER... We were only human and change IS  somehow inevitable. So we just made a few tweaks in how we did our Christmas night.

Do read on! This may well be our Christmas card from ERICJAZ FOODIES to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS NIGHT!!!

Before, we would usually go to Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills. Now we wanted to go somewhere nearer where there are more available seats for us so we heard mass at Powerplant Mall tent. 

Our experience the last time was very solemn and comfortable so my Dad suggested we hear our CHRISTMAS NIGHT mass here again!

I really think there's something about the CHRISTMAS breeze that made hearing mass al fresco more special!

  

Remembering our HOTEL HOPPING to welcome 2011

(December 2010)
 

My Gatdula family had this tradition where come New Year's Eve, we will go to different hotels in Makati or Ortigas to have drinks and little snacks. Then, after the constant reminder of my Mom (he he he he), we would go home to blow up some fire crackers and eat our sumptuous New Year's Eve feast. Our Gatdula Hotel hopping tradition was WAY before hotels made midnight New Year's parties popular and it was really something I looked forward to as a kid until I grew up into a fine little lady.

FINE LITTLE LADY?? Ha ha ha! I guess I haven't really fulfilled my New Year's resolution to stop being delusional! Ha ha ha ha!

Anyway, after I got married to my husband and bred little angels with him (tee hee), we would always celebrate New Years at his hometown in Lucena, Quezon province where they would usually have reunions. As much fun as we had with their little family gatherings, I missed doing my Gatdula tradition of hotel hopping and hoped that someday my little guys would be able to experience it.

Then lo and behold! For the year 2010, we spent the holidays with my family in Manila and we were finally able to show my little rugrats our simple family tradition. And like I hoped, Mati and Andrei had so much fun that they wanted to welcome the coming the same way every time! Afterwards, if we do not have any important family reunion, we would always go from one hotel to another, have drinks, eat snacks, ogle at the lights, and take lots of pictures. Hopefully it would something that our TEAM YAP would do until they grow up to fine young gentlemen.

Yup... unlike their delusional mother. :)

HOTEL HOPPING stop 1:

The PENINSULA MANILA!

BRGR: THE BURGER PROJECT

I read somewhere before that "A burger by any other name would taste as sweet.  But I guess the case is not the same if you drop by in Jupiter street, Makati City and head to the doors of BRGR : THE BURGER PROJECT.

(Just to be clear though, WHATEVER I'm reading turns into food especially when I'm hungry.So you could just imagine how hard it was for me to cope when I was leafing through "HUNGER GAMES" with an empty stomach.  As a result, Peeta became more of an actual bread than a victor. 

So don't shoot or write off Shakespeare on my referral above {HA! Like you would and could!}. Besides, I'm sure if there WERE burgers during his time, he would write the same thing!).

Anyway, a burger may always be JUST a burger. But in BRGR: THE BURGER PROJECT, the boundaries of deliciousness of YOUR burger is limited to your imagination. It is up to you to make all the life altering decisions (well possibly... he he he) on what type of bread or toppings that goes into your sandwich. Then when all has been said and done, you seal the deal by naming your BRGR creation.  

So you see, for you dear hungry eater, there may be other names or there may be other ways for your burger. But however you look at it, what you have before you is your little meaty handiwork. And with the help of the BRGR : THE BURGER PROJECT, no matter how you name your little beef sucker, the taste will not be JUST AS.  But something more of the extraordinary and incomparable to what the other layman has come up with.

Oh I bet that dear old Shakespeare was not thwarted with THAT kind of "power". Tee hee!

Kidding! 

BRGR : THE BURGER PROJECT!

SIKLAB

I know, I know, it may not look like it but I just graduated from College about 2 years ago....

I'm sorry did I make you all fall off your chairs?

Kidding. Okay fine! Fine! I graduated school about (bleep) years ago and though I had a lot of crazy fun in my College years, one of the things I do not miss about life in the uniform is the cafeteria food! Don't get me wrong, our school served decent and nutritious grub, but when you're in class the whole day struggling to understand the the many theories of life (yup, I still don't get it) but will be confined with gnawing on food from a tray for 4 years (or is it 5??), you would like to break free and never to return again.

AND THAT is the reason why after about (BLEEEP BLEEEP) years from our graduation, my college bud BGP Marian (best gal pal) and I would always try out new restaurants at our regular meet up dates with the ugly hubs (tee hee)!  If we liked the place, we would return for another visit or two, but if we find something that leaves a bad taste in our mouths (pun intended) then we will banish the place from our memory.

It goes without saying that we were particularly excited for our meet up at SIKLAB, the newest baby of THE BISTRO GROUP, which offers Filipino food that is proud enough to rival the best out there in the Metro. BGP Marian and her husband are regular diners of Bistro Group restaurants (heck they even had their son's first birthday party at TGIFRIDAYS) that I thought they were the best companions for ERICJAZ FOODIES friends' invite at SIKLAB.

We were happy to affirm that like their name, SIKLAB has awesome Filipino food that will just make you burst out in happiness.... (sort of the same feeling I get when classes are suspended back in College.... he he he he). For every dish served, we were just exclaiming our deep appreciation and gusto. It may be possible though that we were saying or thinking out all kinds of BLEEPS while enjoying the delicious food!

Well even if it has been (BLEEEP) years from College graduation and I haven't really understood the REAL meaning of life, I am sure of one thing right now and that is we will DEFINITELY go back to SIKLAB!

Yup, the meaning of life is at par with our love for food. HA HA HA HA HA! 

SIKLAB!!!

PINO

Have you ever had that feeling where you are the last person in the world who has not tried this or that? Well we do! My husband and I get that everytime! Everyone has been to Boracay except us.... Everyone has seen the movie "The Godfather" except us... Everyone has had his and hers spa sessions except us.... Everyone has had their hair straightened except us....

Now the last, would seem gross for Eric... BUT STILL.

Anyway, one new factor that might make us feel to be in this imaginary caste system is that we are positive EVERYBODY has been to PINO except us. I really don't know why we haven't been to the famed Filipino restaurant of Chef Ed Bugia of BRGR: The Burger Project and Breakfast and Pis fame. I mean, it IS near our base camp and I have heard nothing but raves about the restaurant. So I guess, it just wasn't meant to be. And I was pressuring myself already to schedule a foodie date there just in case there would be a zombie invasion and PINO would be the "one that got away"

BUT, I was wrong.....

Dan dan DANNNNN!

Or is it... HALLELUJAH?

Tee hee!

The famous PINO RESTO BAR was already serving top of the notch Filipino food. But Christmas came early for ERICJAZ FOODIES because our first meal in the popular resto was to try out their new items in the menu!!

What have we done to deserve this awesomeness??? 

HOMEMADE TREASURES (the best ensaimada)

I have discovered that if you want to become an instant comedian during the holiday season, you should just utter out these 4 words... 

"I am on a diet."

Take my case for instance. I am trying my darndest to lose weight since November and I wanted to carry on to see if I have lost any pounds after 2 months. But every time I tell people that "I am on a diet" they let out the loudest guffaw and wonder if I am being my usual insane self.

Well I did put up a good fight for the past 2 months, but I have to say that tonight, FOOD once again won in our title bout for "JAZ vs BEING A HEAVYWEIGHT". Tonight, of all nights, after meeting up with the Kain Tulog Gang and enjoying food from 2 restaurants, our favorite guy Spanky Enriquez (THE DAILY SPANKS) gave us an early Christmas present!

HOMEMADE TREASURES ENSAIMADA!

KIMPURA (AGAIN)

My husband and I just love celebrating family birthdays because not only are we thankful for another year of blessings with that loved one but we also get to eat at one of our favorite natal day restaurant tradition....

KIMPURA!

Now I know that I have already professed my love and wrote about how we really have regular birthday meetings in this old Japanese restaurant (SEE HERE!!!) but the birthday season is upon us where from October to March, we have one celebrant per month! With this, it is most likely that we will be enjoying the wonders of KIMPURA's teppanyaki table many times this season and we are not complaining! Of course a big factor is that members of TEAM YAP are all celebrants in the coming months too! Ha ha ha ha!

Here's our celebration with Kuya Jon to jump start the KIMPURA birthday celebration last September!  

KIMPURA!!!

LAU CHAN SHABU SHABU

These days, I'm getting so lazy at everything that it is so pathetic. Blame it on me and my husband's new found addiction (pun sort of intended) to BREAKING BAD.

Yo! That's a television series, B@#*H!!! 

grabbed from the net YO!

Ha ha ha ha! I don't know if it's age or what but now, a perfect night for me is going home early for a night of BREAKING BAD.  Of course this is one activity we will NEVER involve the kids in that as a result Mati and Andrei were wondering why sleeping time became so early. TEE HEE! Little do they know that Mommy and Daddy are already curled up on the sofa and watching Jesse do something stupid while Mr. White comes to the rescue. Oh yes. No chores for us. WE ARE SOOO BAD.

Oh I'm kidding!

Or am I?

So you could just imagine how DEEELICIOUS LAU CHAN is. 

Now, you may say that the sentence above may be the most epic (OR pathetic) of segues but do understand that LAU CHAN is still in the galaxy far far away of Malate, Manila while we are sitting lazily in our comfort zone of Mandaluyong. And did I not make myself clear how it is next to impossible to tear ourselves away from the sofa once BREAKING BAD is on?

And believe me, my convincing words to my husband so he could treat us there was "Yub! LAU CHAN is SOOOO sarap that I'll forego BREAKING BAD on a Saturday just to go there!"

Yup. That's ERICJAZ FOODIES. Only food so good will get our lazy selves out and about. Ha ha ha ha!

LAU CHAN!!! 

CHIHUAHUA

Call me Ms. Stereotype but why is it that when I hear "Mexican Restaurant", I always picture a place partying like it's cinco de mayo, mariachis all around in their sombreros while tickling their vihuelas, and everyone just toasting up margaritas and munching on nachos? Why?? Well probably because the Mexican's really know how to throw a good party that when a new joint shows up, diners are always assured of a great time with booze a-flowing and food deliciosa!

This was what my husband and I happily discovered and confirmed at CHIHUAHUA when we dropped by to try out their newest Mexican grubs. Just when I stepped inside, our group was already donning colorful ponchos and crazy sombreros -- and that's just the guys. Ha ha ha ha ha!

You would wish that I was kidding but hey, I'M NOT. Ha ha ha!

Seriously, everyone may be acting all loud, rowdy, or just plain mucho loco, but we certainly noticed that it was a party we want to get into. Because not only will the atmosphere in CHIHUAHUA promise you and your companions a festive time, but you will also get to taste hot platters and bowls of their delicious Mexican food!

I'm sure you would agree with me that if you can, you should go to CHIHUAHUA!

Andale! Andale!!! 

CHIHUAHUA!

THAI BISTRO

I am a girl of routine. Call it boring, lazy, or just plain dull but I love following a schedule and my husband knows that if my usual "agenda" is not followed to a T, I'll be grumpy and gnarling the whole night.

So for one Friday, my husband and I already set a date with one of our new favorite foodie couple, Albert and Suet, to meet at Robinson's Magnolia. However, a storm decided to loom it's way towards Manila (not Yolanda... yet) that we were already having doubts if the dinner will push through or not. But then I thought, it's FRIDAY. We were meant to meet up with friends! So by hook or by crook, we shall push through. Besides, Albert suggested we go for Thai that all bets are off. I love that cuisine so much that I would almost drop everything when Thai is on the menu (I said "almost" because what if I was carrying a baby? Tee hee).

Anyway, even if there were already rains and thunderstorms it's off to Thai Bistro we go because we know we will be surely in for a night of great company and delicious food!  Now if that will not make you commit to my kind of schedule, then I don't know what will.

Except of course if it's a date with me....

Fine I'm just kidding. No need to call the mental institution or anything... :)

THAI BISTRO! 

MESA

Whenever TEAM YAP has weekend staycations, it became tradition for us to dress up when we step out for dinner. Yes! Just like how they used to do it in the old movies! However, since we could be a "crazy" team, we don't really match our attire with a stuck up resto. We want it to be fun like we are!

For a particular weekend when we were at our second time getaway at F1 Hotel (blog post soon to follow), we once again tried to be like Cary Grant (for the boys) and Deborah Kerr (for the lady). Unfortunately though, one of the "boys" decided to go for the Michelin route! Tsk tsk tsk!

Anyway, my little lord Mati craved for some Filipino food while I longed for something that wouldn't break our bank. Good thing I remembered my officemate's constant raves about MESA that it became our dinner venue for the night!

I'm elated to say that MESA was such a perfect place for TEAM YAP! Not only was the food mega-delicious and reasonably priced, but the restaurant has that modern casual set up that it would be cool to come in dressed but cooler if you just let loose and have fun!

That's good news for us because with TEAM YAP, I remember one of Cary Grant's famous line from the movie "Arsenic and Old Lace"...

        "Insanity runs in my family... It practically gallops"

Ha ha ha! Right you are Mr. Grant! But in a good way! Tee hee!

MESA!

AN AWESOME SECRET FOODIES TOUR

We, of ERICJAZ FOODIES, are very happy to notice that Filipinos right now will not just go for the "usuals" when it comes to having a good time or going for a great grub. Even with the emergence of carnival-like malls in every corner of the Metro, we would look for an experience that is out of the ordinary and go for something bordering on exceptional!

The same goes for food! Now I know that I am STUCK (tee hee) with somebody who would rip apart his burger demoting it to a naked patty and bread but even HE is interested to try something new to shock his palate.

With all these in mind, we, of ERICJAZ FOODIES, are so excited to invite you all to experience food tripping  brought to a whole new level...

AN AWESOME SECRET FOODIES TOUR!

photo from OUR AWESOME PLANET

1 ticket to 8 gastronomical stops for only P1,000.00!

Read on to find out what awaits you and how to join this awesome food tour!

We, ERICJAZ FOODIES, thank you.

Or should it be the other way around? Ha ha ha! You'll see what we mean.

BURGER COMPANY

I wonder if I was the only being who enjoyed the movie PULP FICTION not just because of the momentous dance of Uma Thurman and John Travolta, or the numerous profanities shouted by THE Samuel Jackson (yes that's how terrified I still am of him... teee hee). But because of that scene... that ONE tasty part where Uma ordered this Cheeseburger and she was savoring its beefy gloriousness while talking to John Travolta. I really can't forget that. And if memory serves me right, she would even wash it down with dainty sips of strawberry milk shake. 

photo grabbed from the net

Ooooh yeah Uma.... do that milkshake proud!

Of course, let us not forget that whole Le Big Mac exchange between the 2 main killers of the movie! Come to think of it, you would be crazy not to crave a big juicy pound of burger after watching PULP FICTION!

For one Saturday, that scene from the iconic movie of Mr. Tarantino was grazing in my mind which was fine because I know I will be chomping on some fat greasy burgers ahead. But the great thing was, I need not to get me a bodyguard slash killer to take me to this "on the rise" burger joint. Instead, we were going to meet our favorite KAIN TULOG GANG  for some delicious grilled beef patties and much, much more it will make you jump up and do the dance!

Certainly not the DANCE OF JOY but you know what I mean  when you watch the movie. He he he!

And if you were not paying attention and suddenly say it's "The Hunger Games : Catching Fire", I will eat you alive hook, line, and sinker I swear.

Oh I'm kidding! 

Or am I? Tee hee!

BURGER COMPANY!!!

TURKEY TO GO AT MARRIOT'S THANKSGIVING

If there was one event which we do not celebrate in the Philippines that we are bummed about, it's THANKSGIVING. I mean sure, blah blah blah we could be thankful everyday but still, it wouldn't hurt having that special "give thanks" holiday meal where you slice into a juicy, plump, roasted turkey, stuffed with all the sinful trimmings, and pile your plate with all the buttery side dishes imaginable.

It's the only Thursday of the year wherein I fret the whole day of what we coulda, woulda, shoulda, EATEN!

I think it's also the only Thursday of the year where my husband is thankful that he has to go to work. Ha ha ha ha!

Anyway, once again the foodie gods heard the prayer of hungry people like me and present to us MARRIOT HOTEL MANILA's special THANKSGIVING SPREAD this November 28, 2013!

No need to fly out to the US or Canada to enjoy and authentic Thanksgiving Meal!

BALDUCCI RISTORANTE

I don't know about you but if I am going to eat with somebody, that person has to be a friend, a family member, or a HUSBAND... teeeheee. I could never imagine sitting down to a meal that may run for 3 hours, depending on the food and the topic of the day of course, with somebody I detested, loathed, or even just slightly irritated with.

Call me old fashioned or boringly sentimental but if there was anything that my family instilled in me was that we should'nt just eat to live. Instead, we should LIVE TO EAT. And I don't mean just wolfing down food and bordering near gluttony but more on making every meal an experience or an unforgettable adventure. Trivial matters such as work or facebook could wait. This IS far more worthy and important. And surely that trip down the table lane would prove to be much more enjoyable if you have a loved one or two laughing crazy during the meal while you outwit each other on who will get the last brownie.

And that was how our BALDUCCI RESTAURANT dinner was for me and my husband last Friday. The dinner was an experience beyond words. Because not only were we feasting on an exceptional meal created deliciously by the genius behind L'Opera, but we were also sharing laughs with our new food blogging family. Never mind that traffic was horrendous or that one of us (who???) was trying to diet. We were with great food and wonderful people. All bets were off for that night in BALDUCCI RISTORANTE and our tummies and selves couldnt be more happier.

BALDUCCI RISTORANTE

MALAYSIA EATS (WHAT YUB GRUBBED)

by Eric John Yap

I flew to Malaysia sometime July last year for a bit of work training. It was such a great experience to finally set afoot in my company's Malaysian office and seeing again my batch mates from other countries who also joined the seminar. The days definitely flew by because not only did we learn a lot for my job and enjoyed the views, but I also savored what the country "served" and ate more than what was good for me.

Now for somebody who is such a finicky eater, this was TRULY a feat for Malaysia! Ha ha ha! Everything was just delicious, simple, and highlighting the cuisine of our continent. I loved the food! Wow!

Yes, MALAYSIA is TRULY Asia! Looking forward to bringing the missus here soon with our little boys.

So on to my food experience... 

 My first Malaysian meal at Village Park Restaurant!

HOTEL KIMBERLY (TAGAYTAY TRIP DAY 2)

It was TEAM YAP's second day at HOTEL KIMBERLY in Tagaytay along with the Campos, the Quitorianos, and the Virreys (see our first day HERE) and even if we turned in late last night from our "midnight chat", our family woke up extra early for breakfast so we could have a part 2 of the vacation that is worthy for the books!

HOTEL KIMBERLY Tagaytay!

The Campos, the Quitorianos, and TEAM YAP had an early breakfast at HOTEL KIMBERLY's cafe (blog post soon to follow!). I love that they made a special set up for our big group so we could all be in one table chatting and eating to our heart's content.

Yup! One family is missing! LATE!

TABLEA CHEESECAKE (INDULGENCE BY IRENE)

Christmas came early for ERICJAZ FOODIES because HALLELUJAH we received a surprise gift that made our night more special and delectable! So for our meanies out there (and when I say OUR it really means, MY), HA! That just means Santa thought I have been very, VERY good this year. And it is now time to show my REAL colors! Tee hee!

Oh I am just kidding!

Anyway, after experiencing the heaven that is of QUEZO DE BOLA CHEESECAKE by Indulgence By Irene (see HERE) the foodie gods thought that I needed extra cellulite on my right hip and sent my way ANOTHER dessert that would surely be a favorite for the chocoholics out there. (You know that's you).

TABLE CHEESECAKE by INDULGENCE by IRENE!

HOTEL KIMBERLY (TAGAYTAY DAY 1)

My husband and I are now very addicted in taking our little boys out for weekend getaways since we feel that we only got a few years left before they turn into GUYS and would be embarrassed to be seen with their Mommy and Daddy. So now we are relishing every moment with them and, like how my parents did, we would make it a point to take them somewhere special for a Yap bonding experience rather than the usual "mall tours". But of course, being the practical parents that we are, we were still very careful not to break bank.  So every chance we see a special deal online, we check it out and see if it is ERICJAZ FOODIES worthy!

My friends share the same sentiment as TEAM YAP that for one weekend, we planned another getaway for all 4 families. We agreed to make our venue for the mini-vacation to be HOTEL KIMBERLY since there was a deal online that got the approval from all the "practical" (read: sorta stingy) mommies. At first we were a bit hesitant that we may be holed up somewhere that would prove to be a burden to our enjoyment. But after our 2 day bonding trip, we were all declaring that HOTEL KIMBERLY may be the best hotel for your family. Once you're there, you wouldn't want to go anywhere!

Except to see the volcano of course! Ha ha ha!

It was a rainy weekend last October 12, 2013 and it was such a wet travel going up to Tagaytay. We thought that we were not going to make it but fortunately the storm scare made everybody stay at home so it was a fuss free drive for us.

And since it was very cold and we were hungry, we decided to warm ourselves up in the rainy weather with a big piping hot of bulalo!!!

Could you guess from what restaurant this delicious bubbling soup is from? 

Yup! It's from LESLIE's! Blog post soon to follow!

On our way to our destination, we thought that probably one drawback to HOTEL KIMBERLY was that it was not in the "central tourist district" in Tagaytay and you have to do a 20 minute drive down from the city. 

It was very foggy that morning and visibility was almost zero. We just took extra care in driving and turned on our head lights. 

And finally we're here!!!! HOTEL KIMBERLY!

BAR B SKEW

It is very rare that ERICJAZ FOODIES will travel all the way to Quezon City from our sweet beds in Mandaluyong just for food. I mean yeah, sure we love food and we concur that it IS a basic necessity but you gotta give Sundays to us to just be lazy the WHOLE day and sleep till our eyes hurt.

(Oh yes. We are the model couple. Run far away from us if you don't want to catch our "disease". Tee hee!)

Anyway, yes, we DO prefer to have our weekend meals nearby and we would usually let out such a long and grovely groan when pressed to go the distance. But there are special nights wherein our curiosity and tummies get the better of us that we will be hypnotized to travel far far away to get a taste of that extraordinary SOMETHING.

And for that lazy last Sunday night, that SOMETHING turned out to be BAR B SKEW --  the first grill of its kind here in the country! 

BAR B SKEW!

BAR B SKEW is located at the heart of Tomas Morato Quezon City where the lights of other restaurants blink like Christmas lights!

EAT OUT FOR YOLANDA ACTION WEEKEND

For this week, why don't you let your mouth do the "helping"?

No I did not mean that you'll just sit comfortably while verbally bashing and judging everything that is happening in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. What I meant was during this horrible week where there is no limit to the amount of help you could bestow to our fellow men, you could also EAT to HELP the victims of that monster storm.

Yes. We could always do MORE.

With the efforts of MR. DELICIOUS (Mr. Jeremy Slagle), we have YOLANDA ACTION WEEKEND, where a significant number of restaurants have bonded to share a portion, if not all, of their earnings this week and donate it to the Yolanda victims via PHILIPPINE RED CROSS. Like I said, there is really no limit in helping out your Filipino brothers severely affected by that witch Yolanda. Let us do what we can by donating cash, clothing, food, and other goods but you could also extend support to the victims when you EAT. So if you are planning to go out this weekend with your loved ones, why not drop by the restaurants listed below and EAT to HELP? 

YOLANDA ACTION WEEKEND!

A CALL FOR HELP!

Our country was suddenly in the spotlight appearing in many news reports and social media forums. However, we were not talked about because of a pageant win or there's a new talent discovered in an episode of Ellen -- we caught everyone's attention because Yolanda, the monster typhoon which has entrapped our country in that dark weekend, left our countrymen homeless with a death toll that might reach a tragic 10,000.

We all saw how our countrymen are doing out there where not only they had to contend with the heartbreak of losing their loved ones but they now need many things that we take for granted in order to survive.

So for this difficult season, let us all do our share. Forget first the selfies, the OOTD's, or even the sharing of your favorite pet videos.

We should just all stop and HELP.

Let us show everyone that even if typhoon YOLANDA bitched her way into our system, we have something that no amount of wrath could damage.

Our Filipino spirit.

And here are some of the verified donation channels for your information.

PHILIPPINE RED CROSS

CAFE MEDITERRANEAN

For this year's Father's Day, TEAM YAP treated our BOSS to his restaurant of choice. We came from somewhere out there which I forgot already (blame the epidural effect tee hee) that our guy wants to have simple meal nearby. We were really getting ourselves ready for his usual favorites like Buddys (SEE HERE) or Slice N' Dice (Here here!!!) so we were surprised that he requested for CAFE MEDITERRANEAN since he craved for their pizza.

I'm happy that the little lords were agreeable to their Boss' choice of restaurant since we do not usually go to CAFE MEDITERRANEAN whenever we're in Powerplant Mall so I guess it was meant to be. 

And what a great time we had. We got just what we all wished for every FATHER'S DAY... Simple, delicious, affordable, cozy, and a Dad who IS the best of all mankind!

We love you Daddy (aka Yub!). You don't need to do the laundy tonight!

I. AM. KIDDING. Of course! Tee hee!

CAFE MEDITERRANEAN!!!

BUBBLES CRISPY PATA (LUCENA RESTAURANT)

For our last day in Lucena City Quezon Province, we were supposed to have lunch in our usual pig out hub, Palaisdaan (SEE HERE), but then since we got so tired from the previous days' activities we decided to just lounge around the house and have lunch at a nearby restaurant.

But where to?

When we're at Lucena, we always eat at the "usual suspects" like Cafe Antigua (HERE), Ground Zero (HERE!), Buddy's (OH YEAH HERE), Koon Lin (HERE AGAIN!), etc, etc. Actually I wanted to go back to my new favorite with the best chami, PEKING (HERE!) but my husband was thinking of something else. Fortunately for me, Eric was like this pregnant gorilla and was deeply craving for some Crispy Pata. So where to then?

That's when the lightbulbs in my big forehead lighted and gave out such an alarm... DING DING DING!

BUBBLES CRISPY PATA!

BUBBLES CRISPY PATA!

TOPMUD

We were at Lucena City recently for the All Soul's weekend and we were able to meet up with my husband's long time friends for a night of food, coffee, and a lot of laughs!

When I say long time friends, by the way, I truly meant LONG time. Think friends since kindergarten! Yup! That's how they go waaaay back!

My husband explained to me that originally they were all boys in the group. Later on, they bonded with the equally fun girls in their batch, and therefore TOPMUD was born.

Believe me, I have never met a more united "barkada" than TOPMUD. Their friendship is still strong even after many years and they still remain close to the ones who are living abroad.

I love my husband's TOPMUD barkada and we are honored to be a part of it! They are the true epitome of FRIENDSHIP. It is always a HILARIOUS time with them!

We got together at Zennah's house after their team won in the day's basketball game. Wohooo! Any reason to celebrate! It's a shame though that the others were not present since they had to be somewhere else for the All Soul's Weekend, but of course, they were still with us in "spirit". KIDDING! 

(from l-r) MY MUCHO GWAPITO EL ESPOSO, Raul, Rommel, and Vincent. 

PEKING (LUCENA RESTAURANT)

For ALL SOUL'S DAY, we went home to Lucena, Quezon Province to be with my husband's family. Besides spending the weekend in his beloved hometown, it also gave him a chance to play basketball with his mates from High School. 

After one game, we were deciding on a place to eat and my husband suggested we try out PEKING, which, they say, serves the best chami (noodles) in town. I was wondering why, after about 14 years of going out, I just heard about this PEKING. We would usually go to Cafe Antigua (SEE HERE), Hacienda Inn (soon), or Buddies (HERE!!!) so it was really a surprise for me that the we have not had a taste of that famous chami yet. My husband then explained, that it was because the restaurant was finally renovated and sanitized (he he he) so now we will be able to enjoy their famed chami, worry-free!

Uh yeah like a little thing like THAT would stop me. He he he!

PEKING RESTAURANT!

MAPLE

With the emergence of many breakfast hubs out there, you would THINK that other restaurateurs would become scaredy cats in launching another one that MIGHT bite the dust.

But nooooh, not MAPLE. It came and we saw. But I was not surprised that it conquered. It wouldn't really be such a shocker since MAPLE was from the Pancake House Group and with that, you are assured of home cooked goodness but with something MORE.

So one night, we finally got to meet up with good old friends BGP (Best Gal Pal) Marian and her hub Manong Fred. We decided that the best place to eat would be this much buzzed about restaurant which has been earning raves from many satisfied customers. 

MAPLE!

I don't know about you but this menu cover seems to be from the old scriptures from Lord of The Rings... Tee hee!

GLORIA MARIS BIRTHDAY DIMSUM BREAKFASTS

I am a person who is HEAVY on traditions. Call me a sentimental schmuck or just plain patriotic to "glorified routine" but I always want to honor a family custom and perhaps tweak it a bit so it could be passed on to my kids.

Most recently, my siblings and I made this new "tradition" to celebrate birthdays with a GLORIA MARIS dimsum breakfast. I mean, yeah, we do have the usual birthday breakfast before but now it's going to be obligatory to be at GLORIA MARIS. I tell you, there's really nothing like starting your natal day (I was supposed to write nasal.. ha ha ha!) with a hot bubbling bowl of congee and plump steamed dimsums!  Since we had such a grand time when we did it for my Dad's birthday morning, we will be doing it again and again. And with dimsum and congee, GLORIA MARIS in Greenhills will be your best bet!

GLORIA MARIS!

MANILA DAY (OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION)

I mentioned in an earlier post that for June 12, 2013, we celebrated the Philippine Independence Day by going around Manila and showing the little lords some of our famous landmarks. At first, we thought of going to various museums, as we have already done before, but we thought, why not go to places we haven't been to as a family? 

So off to Manila Baywalk, Luneta or Rizal Park, and Planetarium we go.

Okay, I know that the PLANETARIUM does not really have anything to do with the country's independence but I included it in the itinerary for my own personal reasons. HA!

So after our Filipino brunch at ARISTOCRAT (SEE HERE), we dropped by Manila Baywalk to look for a loyal steed to officially start our MANILA DAY!

BALKAN

It was the birthday of Kathi Raneses, aka MUCKING AROUND MANILA, and my favorite foodie group, the Kain Tulog Gang had a mini celebration for her at BALKAN.

You may be familiar with BALKAN as the Yugoslavian restaurant in the small streets of San Juan where there's only 5 tables -- definitely fitting the bill of a hole-in-a-wall food hub. We have often passed the humble restaurant and always wanted to try it but never got the chance, probably taking the whole look of it for granted. It's a good thing that dear Spanky Enriquez invited us to celebrate Ms. Mucking's birthday in BALKAN because we were oblivious to 2 things:

1) I did not know that they have already opened a branch in Bonifacio Global City.

2) I was not aware that we are passing by a restaurant that served SO DELICIOUS FOOD (take note of the all caps). Why oh why have we been so ignorant of your goodness?? What have we done to be deprived of awesome home-cooked Yugoslavian grub for these many years?

I guess for this time, Ignorance is NOT bliss. So we may have to do a lot of catching up to be able to enjoy more of BALKAN's goodness. Anyway, that's a certain plus besides celebrating one of my favorite blogger's birthday. 

So, let the merry eating and celebrating begin!  

The foodie gods were smiling at us for this night because I was able to get out of work extra early to be on time for our dinner at BALKAN.

ZYMURGY (LUCENA CITY)

For All Soul's day, TEAM YAP will be going home to my husband's hometown in Lucena, Quezon Province to visit his family and of course, light a candle and offer prayers for his Dad. Now a trip to Lucena, or as I would playfully call it, Timbuktu, is always a fun vacation for us because not only will we meet up with my husband's kind family, but we will also have a gastronomic 3 days as well!

I swear, I always gain about 5lbs every time we go to Lucena and NO, it DOES NOT go to my big forehead.

Anywho, since we will be going to Lucena this weekend, I remembered our visit to Yub's family last September and the new restaurant we tried. Yeah, yeah, every time we're in  Lucena, we always eat in Palaisdaan (CLICK HERE), Cafe Antigua (CLICK HERE TOO), Koon Lin Restaurant (CLICK HERE AGAIN), and Ground Zero (YUP, HERE), but this time we wanted to live dangerously and try something else. PLUS, my very generous sister in law Ivy had some discount stubs to share.

So OFF to ZYMURGY we go! 

ZYMURGY CAFE AND LOUNGE!

ZYMURGY is located right in heart of down town lucena. The cafe and lounge has a reputation for serving good food and entertainment as well.

I'm the one in the green blouse. Check out "Edward Sullen" staring at me. Ngiiii!

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN WITH THE BOYS

Last October 5, 2013, we went to Greenbelt to watch Repertory's production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND. We were all pretty excited to watch with Andrei, the musical theatre newbie, that we woke up freakishly early to get good seats.  

I'm Jazmin... I'm addicted to photogrid.... He he he he!

My boys enjoyed ALICE IN WONDERLAND and were asking  when we could watch the show again. As much as I loved Repertory Philippines rendition of this Lewis Carroll classic, me suspects that little Andrei has a crush on pretty Alice, hence his urgency to have a repeat of the show.

To divert his attention from running to the ticket booth once more to catch the NEXT show (yes that's how much he wanted to watch ASAP), I immediately asked if they were in the mood for pizza and pasta. And with their very resounding YES, I finally heaved a sigh of relief that we won't be catching 2 showings of Alice going down the rabbit hole, no matter how good their production was, in one day. 

If it was any consolation, I tried to invite little Alice in Facebook and even wrote her a letter saying my wee guy has a crush on her. I guess, she found me somewhat creepy because she hasn't added me in her FB list yet.

Kids today!!! Tsk tsk! HA HA HA HA HA! 

Our "savior", CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN or CPK!