MEDLEY OKADA HOTEL (BREAKFAST BUFFET)

Breakfast was thankfully included in our OKADA HOTEL staycation and we got more excited especially when dear Ivy showed me the dishes served. You see for hotel breakfasts we're so used to the ever present eggs, bacon, garlic fried rice, salad bar, soup bar, etc (I'm not complaining there because I just LOOOOVE breakfast food). But in OKADA MANILA, they also included sushi, sashimi, plus many more items that you would expect for a lunch or dinner buffet!

Woah! That is surely bang for your buck!!!

So we all got up early (yep 9:00am is early) for our OKADA HOTEL breakfast, and we were all wowed with what we saw. Check out how many plates we finished because as I would always say during staycations, "Hanggang dinner na yan!"

KIDDING!!

Or am I?

:P

Yep! Breakfast is the best meal of the day!

I'm the King of the World!!!!!!!!

DELICERE (MARIKINA CITY)

Now who would have thought that there are a LOT of new food spots in Marikina City that would rival the popular ones that we have nearby?

Somebody who's stuck in the Metro too much now that's who!

He he he he he! Kidding aside, it's true! I would like to give my huge forehead a big slap for not being able to discover these delicious finds.

One of which is the new DELICERE!!!

Yohoo! We're here!

LA PIAZZA RISTORANTE ITALIANO (OKADA HOTEL)

The family was having a weekend staycation at OKADA MANILA HOTEL and for dinner plans, we made reservations in LA PIAZZA RISTORANTE ITALIANO.

We're going to have Italian tonight!!!

OKADA MANILA HOTEL STAYCATION (PART TWO)

It's day two of our staycation in OKADA MANILA HOTEL with the Yub's family to celebrate our wedding anniversary and mil's (or Mother in Law) birthday. Like I said in the previous blog post, I'm not really much into staycations now because I would rather stay at home and Netflix my ass off in bed. But then this is free and it would mean a lot to the Yub, so fine. I'll just Netflix my ass off in THEIR bed.

Har de har har.

Anyways everything's so meh for me UNTIL I got news from dear Ivy (wife of Yub's bro) saying that instead of 2 rooms, she managed to get an upgrade for a 2 bedroom suite. NOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!!! And if you've seen how big the room is you'll understand my sudden 360 degree excitement. Ika nga ni Pareng Thor, "It's still worthy..." -- pertaining to the weekend.

He he he he he! Yes, I'm SOOOO shallow I know.

Galeng Ivy!!! I'm impressed!!!! How to be you pohz? He he he he!

Anyways, so this is day two where we made most of the time left we have in this OKADA MANILA staycation.

Like what I would always say though, the Yub, Mati, Andrei and I, collectively known as THE YAPPY BUNCH, are actually fine anywhere as long as we're together.

HOWEVER....

It wouldn't hurt if it's also in a 2 bedroom suite in OKADA MANILA fosho. He he he he!!!! 

OKADA MANILA HOTEL!!!!

OKADA MANILA HOTEL STAYCATION (PART ONE)

Mother-in-law (or mil) treated the family to a weekend staycation in celebration of her birthday and my wedding Anniversary with the Yub in OKADA MANILA HOTEL.

To be honest at first I was like MEH. We've had our fill of staycations before that now the thought of packing up and going somewhere else to sleep in is just something that bores me. I have come to realize too that when you have a happy home, you don't need to go somewhere else to celebrate -- staying put with the family is a party enough.

Anyway, 2 rooms were booked then lo and behold, my dear sister-in-law Ivy did some magic and was able to get the Manila Bay suite for us!!!!!!

WOAH with a capital W and O! He he he he he he!!!!! Do you guys know how much the Manila Bay Suite of OKADA MANILA HOTEL is??? Check in their website to find out!!! Yep!!! Galeng ni Ivy!! With her efforts, we will be able to stay in this prime suite with the family!

So finally I looked forward to the weekend. At least this would really be a happy treat for the family.

And was it as awesome as we thought it would be?

Yep! It definitely was!!!! Especially that it was a weekend for more bonding with THE YAPPY BUNCH!

WOHOO!!!!

OKADA MANILA HOTEL!

HALF SAINTS - TOMAS MORATO

The Yub and I had an overdue meeting with good friends Albert and Suet, aka THE POGI CEO couple (he he he he), as part of the Yub's birthday celebrations. However, just when we already agreed on a date, something came up (the life nga naman of a pogi CEO ha ha ha ha ha) so it's a mad scramble na naman to think of when and where.

Finally, we agreed to do it the Friday before my anniversary with the Chinese Panget. We also decided that since we were also supposed to treat this ever generous couple for the Yub's birthday, it's only fitting that we do the same in "sharing the love" (ick?) for our Anniversary.

The venue that night for us was HALF SAINTS because I saw the many recommendations it garnered online. It received a lot of raves from reviewers (either that or he's just my stalker... he he he he) that it has also gotten the curiosity of The Pogi CEO.

So HALF SAINTS it is!!! I told THE POGI CEO couple that I made reservations for 8:00pm when really it was for 7:30pm. I got confirmation from work that I could leave early and since these two were SOOOOOOOOOOO notorious for being so on time always, I wanted to go ahead of them and say GOTCHA!!!!!

And when we arrived, as usual, THEY'RE ALREADY THERE!!!

GRRRRR!!!

He he he he he! My mission is foiled again!

SAN FRANCISCO STEAK HOUSE (2019)

On nights I get out of work late, the Yub and I would eat somewhere because who knows what time we'll get home with the flow of traffic. However, as much as I enjoy insta-date nights with him, eating out almost everyday could get pricey. That's why many times when the Yub asks me where I'd like to eat, I often say "Sa mura lang".

We were lucky one time because while we were driving around deciding on where to eat, we chanced upon SAN FRANCISCO STEAKHOUSE in bright lights that seem to be "calling" out to us. At first we were hesitant to go because the place seemed empty. But after parking, we saw that most of the people were inside and not visible from the road.

So yay! We discovered a new place to go to. The best part too was their menu is so affordable that we could go here many times as we want!!!!

SAN FRANCISCO STEAK HOUSE!!!!

Yep! That's the bright lights I'm talking about!

PARADISE DYNASTY WITH THE FAMILY (2019)

It's my parents 51st wedding anniversary and though my Daddyowzers is in heaven already (huhuhu...) I still feel that we should go out and celebrate it. Of course, my Mom said she's fine at home but since THE YAPPY BUNCH came from a staycation, we should at least go out and treat my Mom in honor of her Anniversary with my Daddy (RIP).

For tonight, our choice was in PARADISE DYNASTY. Because of course, special occasions like this call for "sureball" deeeeelicious dishes! 

PARADISE DYNASTY!!!!

On weekends, reservations are recommended in PARADISE DYNASTY.

BUDDY'S AGAIN (2019)

Remember when I told you how much my sister and her husband were so sorry (or remorseful) that they were not able to join Yub's BUDDY'S treat during his last birthday?

They regretted not being able to join us SO MUCH that they offered to give Yub another birthday treat in BUDDY'S!!!!

Wohooo! This was just SO PERFECT for family Sunday lunch!!!!

Of course, dapat may gift pa din!!!!!!

#anokayosinuswerte

KIDDING!!!

Or am I????

BUDDY'S!!!!!!!!!!!

This is Yub's favorite restaurant. I think he could eat here EVERYDAY!!!

RAMEN NAGI GALLERIA AGAIN (2019)

As part of our wedding anniversary celebrations, we thought of having a special day with the little lords and have them join our fun. After all, our Anniversary also signified the official start of our family that's why the boys should always be included in the "party".

For today we went to Robinson's Galleria and had another shopping day (aka use up the GCs that I won in our last Christmas Party... he he he he) where the boys and I got a LOT of Avengers shirts (ENDGAME! WOHOO!). After shopping up a storm, I asked the little lords where they wanted to go for lunch and their cravings were unanimous: they liked bowls of piping hot rich soup with chewy noodles. With that, I know what they were going to say next:

RAMEN NAGI.

Dang! I was planning on not having carbs today!!!

Oh well! I really wanted to make the little lords happy during our anniversary. So yes, RAMEN NAGI it is. Guess I'll be having extra inches again (probably the amount as our anniversary years... he he he he).

That's okay. It's our Anniversary anyways. Time to party hardy....with RAMEN!! He he he he he!

WOHOOO!!!

SANDAIME JAPANESE RESTAURANT - EASTWOOD

My eldest Mati will be having his prom soon for Junior High and he cannot be more than excited.

I know... I know.... How can an event that is causing so much anticipation to my first born is giving me the dreads? Don't get me wrong, I trust that he won't do any hanky panky but it's just that I find it hard to accept that my little boy with the biggest cheeks and super pink lips is in Junior High already and excited about his prom.

And to think, that he really insisted on attending his prom with a date!!!! Noooooh!!!

WHYYYYY???? Isn't he happy with me anymore????

At first I was volunteering myself to be his +one and I made these certain arguments to convince him:

-- I'll take loads of pictures of him with his friends.
-- I'll give him my share of the food (since I'm on a diet).
-- I'll put sapin on his back just in case he gets pawis.
-- I'll give him loads of I LOVE YOU'S!!! Much more than any other date could give him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm serious.

My son violently disagreed and insisted that he'll find his own date. "WHYYYYYYY???" I thought. "Didn't you promise that I'll be your number one girl forever???"

Of course, he was 3 years old back then, but still, it's only been 12 years. COME ON!!!!!!!!

Anyway, Master Mati got a date and we arranged for a formal family meet-up in Eastwood. We were all excited and looking forward to meeting dear Olga and her family. The fact that she agreed to be Mati's date for the prom makes me love her already. Add to that, even if we're all strangers the Mom allowed Olga to be my son's date made them my forever friends. He he he he he! And get this, both families will take Mati and Olga to the prom to take pictures, chat up, and eat while we wait!!!

See? It's a date made in heaven!!!

Olga and her family lived in Marikina so the Yub and I thought that it would be better to meet somewhere that would be near to them. When it was agreed that our venue would be in Eastwood, there was still the matter of which restaurant to go to for dinner.

"What's Olga's favorite food?" I asked.

The Mom didn't want to say it at first but after a lot of prodding, we learned that Olga's favorite is Japanese.

So perfect, I thought. I was craving for some mean old Japanese food too!!!!

With that, we have agreed on meeting up at SANDAIME. We haven't eaten there but it had high recommendations online so it's definitely worth a try.

And yup, as expected, it was a super fun night! I didn't know what I was nervous about -- Olga and her family were just lovely that it felt like meeting up with old friends.

Soon to be family kaya???

Naaaaah.... Bawal daw.... Ha ha ha ha haha!!!!

SANDAIME!!!!!!!

HOUSE OF MINIS - GREENHILLS (2010)

For the Yub's birthday, I was supposed to treat him to our favorite HOUSE OF WAGYU because I saw that they had a promo for BPI credit cards.

Lo and behold, the 50% off promo was only extended to BPI Visa cardholders e I have Mastercard lang. Ha ha ha ha ha! Drats. Though there was also a 30% off promo, the kuripot in us cannot bring ourselves to pay higher because we're already set on the 50% discount (Yup, we have that kind of reasoning. Ha ha ha ha!).

I was not in the mood anymore to celebrate because I got so irritated that our original plans didn't push through. With that, the Yub suggested that we go for HOUSE OF MINI'S, the more practical and, come to think of it, happy choice for us.

You see, HOUSE OF MINI'S is not just a restaurant -- it's also the happy haven where the kids of 80's had their first experience of sizzling steak in a, supposed to be, fine dining setting. I could still remember my excitement where as a little girl, I got my own small plate of bread, then served with the salad and soup courses. Then, there's the thrill of anticipation as the server pours the hot gravy over the steak then I duck behind the table cloth so that I wouldn't get splattered from the sizzle. He he he he he!

So many happy foodie memories!!!!

The Yub knows this and I think it is one of the main reasons why he invited me to go to HOUSE OF MINI's instead.

"Treat ko!" He said consolingly. He knew I was on my way to monsterhood. (Ako na nga nakaligtas sa pagbabayad, ako pa brat no? Ha ha ha ha ha!)

To be honest, the Yub didn't need to exert extra effort to stop me from turning into the hulk. I actually became excited with the thought of eating in HOUSE OF MINI'S again!!

Hey, it may not be as sosy wosy of HOUSE OF WAGYU, but promise, I'll be more than willing to go to HOUSE OF MINI'S anytime. Because corny as it may seem, HOUSE OF MINIS is like a foodie home to us already.

Now you wouldn't say NO to the prospect of celebrating where your heart is, right?

YOWN!!! 

We're at HOUSE OF MINIS!!!

You know how impromptu your dinner plans are when you wear something similar to the restaurant tablecloth. He he he he he!