SUNDAY ROAST AT DUKE OF YORK - LONDON

While we were planning for our recent trip to London, I saw many recommendations that we should try having a SUNDAY ROAST. 

What's a SUNDAY ROAST? 

SUNDAY ROASTS, as defined by mareng Wikipedia, "is a traditional meal of British origin. Although it can be consumed throughout the week, it is traditionally consumed on Sunday. A plate usually consists of roasted meat, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes and accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, gravy, and condiments such as apple sauce, mint sauce, or redcurrant sauce.

ANAK NG... ALL OF THAT IN ONE PLATE??? WE WOULD BE CRAZY NOT TO TRY IT OUT!!!! Ha ha ha ha!

(Ayan I almost said profanities... tee hee)

ANYWHO..... So on a particularly lazy Sunday in LONDON (naks) we decided to go for that SUNDAY ROAST.  The Yub searched around and saw many positive reviews on....  

THE DUKE OF YORK!

GANSO SHABUWAY FOR DAD AND THE FAMILY

It's the second year since my Daddyowzers went to heaven, and even it was a very sad day for us, the family got together to honor a very great man and offer our prayers for him.

Hello Daddy! We miss you!!!!

NORTH PARK (P. GUEVARRA)

One Sunday, everything was feeling like how I want Sundays to be.

LAZY!!!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Kidding! (My Mommers would wring my neck). Well usually we would all attend mass then have a Sunday feast at home (where the usual dish in the "starring role" is the Grilled Liempo... yummmm). We never get tired of it and always look forward to family Sunday lunches that I NEVER accept any invite from friends or blogging.

That Sunday however, my Mom said we should just go out for family lunch because she was not in the mood to think of other dishes that would go with our famous Grilled Liempo (or maybe that's her way of telling us that she's getting tired of it? NOOOH!!!!!) Whatever the reason, we're fine with it. As much as we wanted to eat at home though (because Sunday Grilled Liempo was our all time favorite) we're all looking forward to have lunch somewhere else.

Now where to go????

When my Mom asked me where I wanted to go for Sunday lunch, I blurted out the first thought that came into my head "NORTH PARK!!!" And they were all fine with it.

YEHESSS I thought. Because I was soooo LAZY to do some thinking, I just said whatever came to mind. Come to think of it though, maybe I was subconsciously craving for some of my Chinese comfort food favorites from NORTH PARK.

Oh well. Whatever the reason, I'll just think about it after our heavy lunch and before dozing off for my afternoon siesta.

Yup. Like I said. LAZY. 

THE PEEPS IN THE NORTH!!!!!!!!!!!

OF MONGKOK AND VOTING

Last summer, we experienced many long weekends due to Friday or Monday holidays which caused maximum enjoyment for THE YAPPY BUNCH.

However, one particular "Monday-cation" was not just for our own little fun: we will also be fulfilling our duties as Filipino citizens by we will be going out and vote. Still, before you raise your hats to us or make parades in our honor, I got to be honest... 

We were sort of lazy! (Take note of the "sort of" naman... he he he he). I mean, I'm all for voting and doing our civic duty but the bed successfully convinced me to bond with it past my "waking up" time that I don't want to hurt its feelings!

He he he he he he!

ANYWHOOOO.... Fine. We'll get up and get ready. HOWEVER, we cannot just go forth and do this "battle" without energizing our selves first right? So in order to get our spirits going (yes, OA kami), my Mom invited us to have lunch in our restaurant of choice. And since we want to have a happy tummy which will give us a clear and straight mind, we went for our usual Chinese comfort food in Powerplant Mall...

MONGKOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wohoo! We're enjoying our usual favorites in MONGKOK!

It was not so crowded in MONGKOK that lunch time.

ALTA BY RELIK

It was a holiday and ERICJAZ FOODIES scheduled a meet-up with our other KTG foodie friends.

The venue for today...

ALTA BY RELIK!!!!

(Hello there my bunsoy Andrei!)

KIMSUY CHINESE CUISINE ( LUCENA CITY )

We were in Lucena City to spend the Chinese New Year weekend so naturally, when we were deciding where to go for dinner that Saturday night, we went out for some Chinese food. 

The choice that night was in KIMSUY Chinese Cuisine!!!!

MANN HANN (GREENHILLS)

It was a Sunday and my family decided to eat out for lunch after mass. Usually if we're going to have a Sundate lunch, we'll just go to Powerplant Mall since it's very near our place (it's where we hear mass too). But my Mom decided that at least once a month, we'll go to Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills since it was where we originally heard mass weekly as a family when my Dad was still with us. Also, in the months before he passed, it's where my Daddy often go to everyday to pray.

So after mass in Santuario, we all squeezed ourselves in Greenhills Shopping Mall thinking of where to eat. It was then that we decided to go for Chinese and landed ourselves in MANN HANN! 

MANN HANN is located where our favorite Sun Moon Chinese restaurant used to be.They have renovated the place and it was so far from the Binondo look of its former tenant. He he he he he!

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!

GOOD TASTE RESTAURANT ( BAGUIO 2017 )

THE YAPPY BUNCH and Team Virrey are in Baguio City. And for our late Sunday lunch, we trooped over to a restaurant that's always in the top restos to visit in the Summer Capital of the Philippines...

GOOD TASTE RESTAURANT!!!!

Even if this was already in the afternoon, there were still long lines in this popular food hub!

Don't worry because even if there are long lines, your group will be accommodated immediately since GOOD TASTE have about 3 floors for its diners. AND, it's open 24 hours so that means you could eat here even if your sight seeing finishes at a late hour!

SHANGRI-LA FINEST CHINESE CUISINE

One Friday in February, my friends from the "Quezon City Chapter" got together to feast on Chinese food at what, they would claim, to be my very early birthday celebration. When asked for a venue I decided to  name out the restaurant where our office mates would always order take-out from whenever we're craving for some Chinese food!

And that's in SHANGRI-LA restaurant in West Triangle. Quezon City!!!!

It will actually be my first time to eat in the restaurant at SHANGRI-LA after just ordering their food for take-out for many, many years!

GREEN PASTURES

It was the birthday of my favorite kumareng Gail and like what we've been doing for so many years now I treated this lovely lady to the restaurant of her choice. She was also preggers so making her happy was very vital. In the end, after thinking long and hard, she chose GREEN PASTURES!

And since I haven't tried this restaurant offering healthy food yet, it also made me SO happy as well!!!!

ERICJAZ FOODIES with Team Campo in GREEN PASTURES!!!

GREEN PASTURES has already been existence for a long time and I've heard many foodies rave about the dishes. It was something I was always putting on schedule but not really following through because well, I am just stubborn and lazy that way.

A YAPPY BUNCH CHRISTMAS (2015)

Like they say, it's the most wonderful time of the year and yes I strongly agree to that. Because even if we do the same thing every single time (parties, shopping, eating, gift giving, blah blah blah) I find that CHRISTMAS present would ALWAYS top the CHRISTMAS past. No matter how much we got stuck in traffic or how we made mad dashes for last minute shopping, the latest CHRISTMAS would still by far be the best. You would never hear "Aaaah Christmas two years ago was more fun" because you will always be so consumed by the happiness and joy you're feeling right now!

Take this year for instance: Egad, I made getogethers and family dates my priorities every available night that the next thing I know, it was already CHRISTMAS EVE! Yup! That's cramming at its finest! Aaaaaak!! I was so tense at rushing everything I needed to buy that I failed to stop and take in all the twinkly beauty of season. Oh boo effin hoo.

In the end when all was given and done, I gave out a long sigh and a huge thanks at how everything was still oh so lovely this CHRISTMAS.

Yup!

We were still so thankful for the experience!
We're so thankful for my weird family!
We're thankful for the overflowing food and overdone beef!
We're just so thankful for EVERYTHING.

It is STILL our BEST CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION yet!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

It was already the day before CHRISTMAS (December 24, 2015) and we still had A LOT to do. For one, "Santa" doesn't have gifts yet for the little lords, while me and the Chinese Adonis still had many things to buy. With that, we went to Powerplant Mall to do our last minute shopping.

Yup! We went there using Andrei's new black Porsche! 

:P

LOLA CAFE

Last week ERICJAZ FOODIES was invited to try out the new menu offerings of LOLA CAFE hidden in Scout Lozano, Quezon City which served topnotch Filipino food. To be honest though, I'm usually doubtful to try out restaurants offering our local cuisine because I already have my usual favorites that I would feel "sacrilegious" if I go for something new. BUT, the KTG bids and we shall hungrily obey! Believe me, it's a feeling that could be stronger than the force! He he he he he!

STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS! WOHOO!

Anywho, I have heard many good things about the dishes of LOLA CAFE at how the food was indeed worth trenching the "secret" roads of Quezon City. The raves were so strong and the declarations of satisfaction deafening that I was surprised why LOLA CAFE needed to revamp its menu at all.

But of course, we would never know until we try it out for ourselves. And so we indulged!  In the end as we were rubbing our overgrown bellies (once again) and giving out uber burps of satisfaction.

Now that's "new"!

Teee heee!

LOLA CAFE!

LOLA CAFE is very near the building of SV MORE GROUP of Companies. When  you see the towering orange of where NOMAMA used to be, it's just a street away from it. 

WOODY'S TEXAS BAR-B-Q

The Chinese Adonis and I joined our KAIN TULOG GANG to try out the newest Barbecue hot spot to invade Manila....

WOODY'S TEXAS BAR-B-Q!!!

WOODY'S TEXAS BAR-B-Q is located where the old Chihuahua Mexican Restaurant was in Makati Ave. Just in case you're eyeing your driver sweet lover and have the probability of missing this in the busy streets of Makati, it is opposite A.Venue Mall!

FLYING CEBU PACIFIC (JAPAN 2015)

THE YAPPY BUNCH invaded Japan last April and to fly us towards our destination, we chose to go for the practical packages of CEBU PACIFIC! Of course, there may be many airlines available who would do the same job (with much more comfort if I may add) but we were saving our bucks in order to indulge more in Japan so it was the obvious choice for us.

To be honest, we're not really snooty in the choice of airline that would take us to our country of choice as long as:

-- the air-conditioning is good.
-- the flight attendants are hot.
-- the food is edible.
-- the flight attendants are hot.
-- they get our luggage in time.
-- the flight attendants are hot.
-- they fly us to our destination safely.
-- the flight attendants are hot.

TEE HEE!

Truth be told since THE YAPPY BUNCH are always trained to see the positive side of things, we are always quite happy with the airline's service even if there are a lot of negative reviews on CEBU PACIFIC.

Of course, we always thank God and our guardian angels for all of our safe flights when we have an out of the country trip. We're just also thankful that with CEBU PACIFIC, we are able to take flights in comfort and at a very family-friendly price!!

OH. And their flight attendants are hot too! BWA HA HA HA HA!

ERICJAZ FOODIES flies with CEBU PACIFIC!!!

TBS BLUE CORNER (SIZZLING EXPRESS ATB)

While we were planning our weekend staycation trip to SEDA NUVALI, the Chinese Adonis said that if we don't have anything planned with the BP Group, maybe we could go to his favorite "Bulaluhan" place for lunch. Since my husband rarely makes requests unless it's something he really, really, really, wanted, I told him that even if there WERE plans, we will still be going to his little bulaluhan house.

So off we drove over to TBS BLUE CORNER (SIZZLING EXPRESS ATB)! Now I don't know what's the meaning of "ATB" but I guess it's too tiresome for them  to add the letter "P" for "At Iba Pa!"

The Adonis warned however that TBS BLUE CORNER was not air-conditioned and was more like an eatery, aka "turo-turo" (point your desired food). Of course, I didn't mind. As long as the place was safe, (somehow) clean, and served delicious food, I'm there!

Of course, the same could not be said for the little lords.

When we got TBS BLUE CORNER, they immediately started complaining about everything! They fretted over the dust, the heat, the flies, the crowd, and even the utensils used. It was even so embarrassing that they chose to vocally express themselves, therefore attracting more unneeded attention!  To give them the benefit of the doubt though, it WAS hot and I could just imagine how uncomfortable they were so they just blamed their discomfort over everything they see. But later on, they got a whiff of what's coming for lunch that they quieted down.

Of course, no matter how much dust, heat, and crowds there are, when your hungry stomach calls out, you listen! Thank gulay that TBS BLUE CORNER was able to silence deliciously our tummies!

Even if there were some dust on the side. He he he he he he!

 

TBS BLUE CORNER (SIZZLING EXPRESS ATB)!!

 

 

This open air "carinderia" style restaurant is actually very famous with foodies who are in search of cheap but delicious food in the Sta. Rosa Market Area. 

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!

HEALTHY SHABU SHABU (AGAIN)

When I put the title "HEALTHY SHABU SHABU (AGAIN)" it doesn't mean that it's only our second time in this restaurant. Oh dear me that is so far from it! To say that HEALTHY SHABU SHABU is our favorite place to eat in as a family is surely an understatement. Inangkupo! We must have started eating here when Mati was still a baby and we have been ultra regular customers ever since. There was even a time when we would eat here twice in a week or even every Sunday. Yes! EVERY SUNDAY. In fact,  take me to any HEALTHY SHABU SHABU branch and surely I would know some of the servers there. We are actually regulars in the Podium and Powerplant Mall branch that when the waiters get transferred to another area, we would be "Hello! What are you doing here??" Yes we have somehow come to love them as family because some of them saw my boys growing up! REALLY!

So one Sunday family date, I asked the little lords where they wanted to eat and the instant answer was HEALTHY SHABU SHABU! As much as I wanted to go to another restaurant with them I relented because when we go to this long time favorite, we are assured that both of the boys will be eating with gusto (yup I really meant YOU, Andrei). Plus! We've been such regular customers in the Power Plant Mall branch that the boys feel like they're meeting up with old friends!!

Yes! We love it so much at HEALTHY SHABU SHABU! It's our ultimate favorite YAP family restaurant! We have actually used our discount card there more than we do our credit cards! Ha ha ha ha!

HEALTHY SHABU SHABU!

Could you see Andrei staring at the fountains?

THE PLAZA (DELICIOUS PREMIUM ITEMS/ FOOD TO GO)

I'm sure it may be obvious by now (if you are one of the two regular readers of my silly little foodie blog) that I am such a nostalgic person.  Yep that's me. The overly sentimental schmuck who will never throw away used slippers by the little lords because there is a memory connected to it.

So it was no wonder that when the Chinese Adonis and I attended a dinner featuring the delicious PREMIUM GIFTS/ FOOD TO GO by THE PLAZA, a flood of memories caused pandemonium in my big forehead as the famous catering service was present to 2 of my life's milestones!

Yes you gotta believe it! Even I was astounded myself.
       

For your information, THE PLAZA may be the longest catering service in existence in the Philippines as it was established by husband and wife tandem of Jose Cruz Reyes and Imelda Albano, in 1965.

And guess who the little cutesie poo who was born and baptized at 1985??? 

Yup! That white cotton ball is me!

Yep. The 80's still had that 70's vibe to it!

As THE PLAZA was one of the popular caterers at the time, it was also the venue for my baptismal reception! Isn't that such a coincidence? That's why every time I hear the name THE PLAZA, I get this warm and fuzzy feeling inside that I am within the depths of the familiar. 

Too bad I cannot find a clear picture with me in it but that's my brother and sister standing on the chairs.

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET Kuya Jon and Ate Jit for not reading my blog. HA! :P

For the ERICJAZ FOODIES union (blech) I made a scrapbook of everything that went on after the Chinese Adonis said in tagalog "Yub, it's okay. We could get married soon."

What the.......?????????????????

It sounded like the hostage was giving up to his captors!

Anyway I remember that THE PLAZA was our top choice to be our wedding caterer. What you see on the picture above is a page from my scrapbook about my meeting with THE PLAZA banquet head (sorry I forgot her name) and we were scheduled for a food tasting. 

We were expecting really just some little saucers of food. Imagine our surprise when THE PLAZA presented a full spread for us. OHMYGULAY! Our diets are in trouble now!

Yup! A decade ago I was already a master of making faces. Tsk tsk tsk... And wrong grammar. I won't tell where. Ha ha ha ha ha!

TEPPANYAKI BROTHERS

Yohoo! 

Finally! My BGP (Best Gal Pal) Marian and her husband Manong Fred have arrived after about a 4 month vacation in the US!!

Now life is DEFINITELY complete!

Initially we were supposed to meet somewhere else but then I remembered I was saving money and requested that we have a "practical" dinner. Good thing Manong Fred suggested TEPPANYAKI BROTHERS in SM Aura because not only was I addicted to Japanese fried food but I have long been curious of this cheap grub in their food court.

Now, even though I have been hearing an assortment of reviews about TEPPANYAKI BROTHERS, I was still curious to give it a run through of my appetite (he he he he). Besides, you could never go wrong with Japanese food that is affordable.

Also, my BGP and I have proven many times in the past that we don't need to eat in swanky restaurants to enjoy ourselves. Meeting up with dear Marian is the same as the ERICJAZ FOODIES mantra: "It doesn't matter if a restaurant is dingy or classy, because my BGP and I ALWAYS have a great time as long as we are together".

NAKS!

TEPPANYAKI BROTHERS!

TEPPANYAKI BROTHERS is located in the 4th floor of the SM Aura food court.