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!!!!

PANDA EXPRESS PHILIPPINES

Once upon a time nearing the pandemic...

When we learned that PANDA EXPRESS was going to open in the Philippines, we got so excited because it's one of our favorite restaurants in the US. Even if we should be savoring burgers, steaks, pies, etc, there, we would always make room for this fast-food Chinese giant because not only were the prices affordable but the food was really good! It's a big plus too that it was everywhere! Ha ha ha ha ha!

After it opened, we were not able to go to PANDA EXPRESS in SM Megamall yet because we saw the torturous long lines. Normally we're fine with lining up, but these days, we're just not in the mood. Ha ha ha ha ha! Doesn't help too that there's that covid-19 looming about.

For one weekend however, we got word that classes were suspended that Monday (as schools were disinfecting their rooms). The Yub and I then thought of going to SM Mega to finally have a taste of PANDA EXPRESS here in the Philippines. And even if it somehow tasted different from its US counterpart, we still enjoyed our Sunday family outing to savor one of our favorites!!!!

(Little did we know that our gimik days were "numbered" with the upcoming virus!)

PANDA EXPRESS PHILIPPINES!!!!!

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!!!!!

POPEYE'S PHILIPPINES

The Yub and I have long wanted to try out POPEYE'S since it opened because we're curious how it would fare up against our other chicken favorites. I remember having it many years before in Robinson's Galleria but wanted to taste first-hand if the quality and taste are different now.

Of course, we cannot just try POPEYE's without the 2 asungots. So from the comforts of their Youtube and FB chats (grrrr) we yanked Mati and Andrei to go with us out for a family dinner.

And it was another fun night for THE YAPPY BUNCH where not only we ate enjoyable food but we also saw how helpful our little guys are when needed.

The Yub and I are really thankful for these kind of family nights (yep... even if it's in the very busy restaurant of POPEYE'S). 

WOHOOO!

SHAKE SHACK (PHILIPPINES)

It was a holiday and even if my mindset was to stay in bed the whoooooole day and just watch Netflix, the Yub naman was determined to go out.

E DI LUMABAS KANG MAG-ISA MO!

Tee Hee! Kidding!

I agreed later on because the Master Mati had a sleepover while the bunsoy Andrei went out with his Lola (yes, he'd rather go out with her than us). When deciding where to go, the Yub said we should try out SHAKE SHACK.

ANAK NG.... HAVE YOU SEEN THE LINES THERE???!!!!!

Sometimes I really don't get how my husband's mind works (especially when he goes for the weird choice). One thing I could say though: if he feels strongly about something he would stick to it no matter what the cost.

I'm sure you have an idea as to how bratty I could be but that is nothing to the Yub when he's hell bent on something. You'd think that he's a horse wearing blinders.

So to SHAKE SHACK we went and even if there were long lines, my Yub was adamant to stay.

In the end, I'm thankful because at least we were able to try out this popular burger franchise in the US. At the same time I realized that waiting is not really hard when you have a loving asungot with you.

TEE HEE.....

BLECH.

We're in SHAKE SHACK!!!!

CHILI'S POWERPLANT MALL WITH RELATIVES (2019)

After we all packed up and set out last Holy Week, my Mom was thinking where to have our late lunch. At first we entertained the thought of eating in our favorite Dampa along Roxas Boulevard. But then, we remembered how much seafood we had over the course of the week that it would be nice to have something else.

I then suggested to go to CHILI'S because why not? They cook up delicious American food with big servings for sharing, the branch is located in the comforts of Powerplant Mall (which is so near our place), and yes, CHILI'S is my favorite and I would like my relatives to revel in its goodness as well.

(Or maybe I'm just making another excuse to eat there for free.. tee hee).

Whatever the reason, it's good that we went for CHILI'S because we all had an enjoyable late lunch after a looooong and traffic-filled travel. CHILI'S will always and forever be our favorite and I would NEVER get tired of putting in our "places to go to."

Especially if malilibre ako... BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

CHILI'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHILI'S TOMAS MORATO (2019)

THE YAPPY BUNCH had to be in Quezon City one Saturday and we were deciding where to have dinner. Of course, we left that choice to our birthday boy Master Mati, since we were still  within his 2 (or is it 3???) week celebrations, that whatever he was craving for that night, we're game!!!

There were a lot of restaurants in that area that making a decision was already giving us all head-aches. The Yub mentioned some places but either my big guy didn't like it OR we had that in Powerplant Mall (which was so near us).

After a few more names, my big guy saw the bright red lights of a familiar restaurant. His face lit up as he declared, "Mommy I like CHILI'S!!!"

Me: "CHILI'S? E we have that in Powerplant Mall! We could go there anytime we like!!"

Master Mati: "Sige na Mommy please. It's one of my favorites. Parang, you can't have a birthday month na walang CHILI'S!!"

With that, I get his point. Yep. CHILI'S has indeed been an integral part of special times in THE YAPPY BUNCH. (Heck, it's where the Yub and I met via a blind date!!!!!) So even if we could eat at CHILI'S anytime we wanted (since it had branches at the usual places we go to), I was so fine with having one of Master Mati's birthday celebrations there. It's like a birthday won't be complete without CHILI'S!!!

And then I heard somebody mumbling/pouting, "Sinabi ko naman na kanina yung CHILI'S...."

Me: "Don't worry Yub, kaw naman ang magbabayad!"

Har de har har!!!!

Kidding!!!!!

:P

We're in CHILI'S!!!!!

JOHNNY KAHUKU'S HAWAIIAN SHRIMP HOUSE

After our staycation in BELMONT HOTEL, THE YAPPY BUNCH and TEAM VIRREY decided to have lunch together since we really didn't want our day to end yet.

We were supposed to have Korean at the wish of birthday girl Gem, but when she went ahead because she felt really sick, BB Aning and I checked out the other restaurants to try.  

And that is how we ended up in JOHNNY KAHUKU'S HAWAIIAN SHRIMP HOUSE!

I heard about JOHNNY KAHUKU'S from BGP Marian and Manong Fred before. They said the food was good and somehow reminded them of the food trucks in Hawaii.

Good thing we were able to get a table for our group because the restaurant suddenly filled up real fast!

CHEESE STEAK SHOP

THE YAPPY BUNCH were in Makati City and when we were deciding on where to eat, the Chinese Dimpol wasted no time in putting CHEESE STEAK SHOP as our first option because he's been wanting to go back for a loooooong time.

I don't blame him because the tender slivers of meat fried with garlic and seasoning, all in a special bun with loads of melted cheese would get anyone drooling, ASAP.

So we went there with the little lords and we were happy that even if they ordered something different from what we would normally have, they still loved the food and declared that we should return VERY soon.

No problem there! We would never resist a chance to go back to THE CHEESE STEAK SHOP when we're in that side of Makati again and again!

THE CHEESE STEAK SHOP!

When you enter, you'll immediately receive a warning...

CHILI'S FOREVER!!!

I'm sure that if you've been reading our blog (ay nakakaawa ka naman hija... :P ) you would notice how we love going back to our favorite restaurants again and again. Yes. That's how we are. We are afraid of change even when it comes to food! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! For us, nothing spoils a wonderful day than a kadiri to death dinner. That's why when the boys or the family ask, "Where are we eating tonight?" Trust that the answer would be one of our usuals.

And a "usual" choice for us is always CHILI'S!!!!!

I know I have blogged about CHILI'S many times now but I just can't help it. Each delicious meal there is shared with the special people in our lives that it is a special memory worth posting.

May I just point out that it is in CHILI'S where the Yub and I first met via a blind date??? (inangkuposhness)

And may I point out again that it was my Daddy who first brought us to CHILI'S because he loved their Asian Chicken Salad???

Yup! CHILI's talaga FOREVER... AND EVER.. AND EVER.

:P 

CHILI'S!!!!

It was a Sunday and the place the packed!!!

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!!!!

NEW EXCITING DISHES AT APPLEBEE'S!

APPLEBEE'S, an American favorite that has also called the Philippines their home, recently introduced new menu items to give more mouth-watering choices to any Filipino foodie.

One weekend, ERICJAZ FOODIES got deliciously acquainted with APPLEBEE'S new dishes on the block and we were surprised at the long list of grub we're going to try.

Just to clarify, we were "surprised" but we were definitely not complaining. Ha ha ha ha! Everything just looked so awesome that we were so excited to introduce them all to our tummies.

And that we did! Check out our happy (and shameless) gluttony of a Saturday with APPLEBEE'S!!! 

APPLEBEE'S!!!!

The Chinese Dragon and Mother of Dragons!!!

#imissGameofThrones #Boatscenebitin

We invited the little lords to go with us but they said they would rather stay with their Lola. Okay fine.

Instant date night for us!

#BoatScenePart2

DENNY'S WITH TEAM MINA

DENNY'S is fast becoming one of THE YAPPY BUNCH's favorite restaurants that when we're deciding where to treat Team Mina for my godchild's birthday dinner, we immediately called it out. Because what's not to love? The food was delicious and the servings were usually enough for sharing. Of course, like any new restaurant in the Metro, they still have a lot to improve upon especially when it comes to service and maintenance of the place. But still, THE YAPPY BUNCH was willing to give it a second, third, or even fourth chance, just to have a taste of our new favorites (Hello peanut butter chocolate pancakes!)

And as expected, we all had a fun dinner at DENNY'S not just because we're with our best friends or that we're celebrating something special. We really have a great time because of DENNY'S delicious food.

Are we going back again????

You betcha by golly wow in a DENNY'S minute!!!!

DENNY'S!!!!

My godchild PaoPao recently celebrated his birthday and we were not able to attend because we were in Lucena with the Chinese Dimpol's family. With that I promised BGP Marian that I'll treat my pogi Pao Pao in KIDZANIA then continue the "party" for dinner later. 

Me, the Chinese dimpol, and my bunsoy Andrei. Master Mati was supposed to go with us but he missed his Lolo Pogi and chose to go with my Dad to be his "assistant" for tonight.

(Belated) Happy Birthday Pao Pao!

Ordering!!!!!

DENNY'S was still fine tuning their service that some of the food took a lot of time to be served. However, when we indicated how important it was for Pao Pao to eat earlier (because he was already hungry), they managed to take out a hot platter of their Chocolate Overload Peanut Butter Pancake Plate (P395.00)! 

I was not hungry yet but man oh man I wanted to dive into that moist and creamy pancake ahead of Pao Pao! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

We requested the bacon to be extra crispy and they got that so right too!

FINALLY our food is here!!!!

Our own Chocolate Overload Peanut Butter Pancake Plate!!!!

Manong Fred got the DENNY'S Rib-Eye Philly Melt Cheesesteak (P495.00) and I swear to you it WAS SO GOOD! The thinly sliced marinated meat was so tender and flavorful that each bite was an explosion of awesomeness with creamy cheese on the side. Besides being so yum, an order of the cheese steak was more than enough to satisfy one hungry ogre (Manong Fred) or two normal beings.

Tee Hee! 

I missed Master Mati so much that I ordered his favorite DENNY'S Cajun Shrimp (P375.00)!

It was as still good as I remembered it but I think it was sitting at the counter for long because it was not sizzling anymore and was lukewarm.

The Chinese Dimpol suddenly craved for some sausages ("jumbo hotdog kaya mo ba TO?/") and ordered the Country Sausage (P125.00)!

This was juicy, meaty, and so tasty!!! We loved that it had that slight crunch when you bite into it.

ERICJAZ FOODIES with TEAM MINA in DENNY'S!!!!

Let's eat!!!!

For dessert, Andrei and the Birthday Boy each ordered an Oreo Milk Shake!!!

Yummm!

This was so delish that Andrei focused more on the milkshake than his food. H aha ha ha ha ha ha!

Burp!!!!

As an additional treat for my little godson, we arranged for a birthday song from the DENNY'S staff!!!!

YEYYY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAOPAO!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAOPAO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAAY..... 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAOPAO!!!!!!!

YIHIIIIIIIIIIIIII! SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOHOOOOOOOOO!

HOWEVER....

PaoPao: Seriously?

(Cricket.... cricket...)

My inaanak's face....

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

He finally smiled when the DENNY'S servers left. Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

There you go! Don't worry PaoPao! We won't subject you to a loud birthday song again. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

We're still thankful to DENNY'S servers for being so nice and accommodating with the birthday song.

Afterwards he requested to sit beside his Kuya Andrei and the two huddled up together while the (feeling) grown-ups talked about anything and everything.

The DENNY'S bill!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAOPAO!!!

Seriously we are craving to go back IMMEDIATELY to DENNY'S!

Don't worry PaoPao. It won't be to celebrate anyone's birthday with a birthday song. He he he he he he he!

LET'S EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

DENNY'S

Ground Floor, Uptown Parade, 

9th Avenue Corner 38th Street, 

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

02 7724371

ERICJAZ FOODIES IN DENNY'S LAS VEGAS

DENNY'S IS NOW IN MANILA