NEIL'S KITCHEN

In the recent 3-day weekend celebrating the holiday of Eid'l Fitr, I was particularly excited because ERICJAZ FOODIES had a lot of activities planned with family and friends. One schedule in our busy agenda (tee hee) is to taste the new dishes of the much raved about NEIL'S KITCHEN in Westgate, Alabang. I was really psyched to go here because not only have I been hearing about all the delicious and creative food from that unique structure in Westgate, but I'll be seeing again my blogger friends, aka, The Kain Tulog Gang.

However, fate was planning something else for me as my boss called and asked me to report for work at Quezon City that very same day.  As much as I wanted to catch up after the task was done, it was impossible because JAZ and NEIL's KITCHEN will be geographically at polar opposites. So I guess it was not meant to be. Good thing that I loved my job so much that I didn't really mind and just let my pogi half enjoy the hot off the menu goodness that NEIL'S KITCHEN has to offer.

At least, now we will have a reason to come back. ASAP. 

NEIL'S KITCHEN!!!

NEIL'S KITCHEN is that commanding structure that greets you upon entrance in Westgate. It's so hard not to be tempted by its awesomeness.

Entering NEIL'S KITCHEN is just like getting free admission at your hip local art museum. There are just too many sights to ogle at and take pictures with!

A CHILI'S BABY SHOWER

CHILI'S would always have a special place in my puny little heart because it is the venue where I first laid eyes on the Chinese Adonis via a blind date. 16 grueling years later, we are married with 2 smart and handsome boys and we still go to CHILI'S to reminisce or just celebrate something special.

It is very timely and appropriate though that when we gave  a surprise baby shower to Joan, the wife of THE FOOD ALPHABET, the venue was in CHILI'S Greenhills. Once more, something added up to the specialness of the "place where it all started". And this time, it is to celebrate friendship, food, and THE KTG!

CHILI'S, serving delicious heaping platters of food and the culprit to ERICJAZ FOODIES most unforgettable moments. This time, I'm sure it would be for KTG too!!!

From chili's website

CHILI'S PHILIPPINES!!!! 

  

The KTG were there up and early to surprise Joan with our simple, but glutton-worthy, baby shower.

 

We were lucky because we will get to taste the  SWEET, SMOKY, and HOT menu which was available for a limited time only in CHILI'S PHILIPPINES!!! Rush over to your nearest CHILI'S branch now because these gems will be available up to June 28, 2015 ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

BARBECUE NIGHTS AT F1 HOTEL MANILA

For our F1 HOTEL MANILA staycation this summer (blog post coming soon) we had an awesome dinner under the stars at the CANARY LOUNGE!

Photo from F1 HOTEL MANILA

Normally the CANARY LOUNGE is a pool-side cocktail area to have drinks and hang out. But that night, we were lucky to be spoiled by our favorite F1 HOTEL MANILA with a barbecue all to ourselves!

Our barbecue night at F1 HOTEL MANILA!!!

Barbecue nights are not really regularly offered in F1 HOTEL MANILA but you could set it up with their food and beverage department. It's a great alternative if you feel like having a romantic and gastronomical dinner under the stars.

That night though we had this big glowering moon over us. May not be camera friendly but I felt this gave us perfect lighting and ambience! 

THE BAUAN PLAZA HOTEL (PART 2)

Last weekend, the Yappy Bunch was invited to stay at THE BAUAN PLAZA HOTEL in Batangas for a staycation far away from home. Though we already know that we are going to a beach and have lunch there, the SOMBRERO ISLAND FULL LEISURE PACKAGE by the BAUAN PLAZA HOTEL really blew us away as we went snorkling and swimming on our very own secluded island. Then, come lunch time, an elegant table setting was made ready for us that served savory food made more delicious by the breath taking view of the ocean.

I know I have said it many times but I'm not ashamed to say it again.... The SOMBRERO ISLAND TOUR was TRULY an unforgettable experience! It was such an eye opener that the sea inhabited a different kind of beauty plus SO much more. I may be getting a bit dramatic but avid divers and snorklers would understand how going under the sea would take you to another level of enchantment you didn't know existed before. We all cannot wait to do it again with the boys!!!

Now if you think after such a exciting day that it was already downhill for our BAUAN HOTEL PLAZA staycation, you are so wrong. We were still able to enjoy our time together and saw something new that was worthy for our YAPPY book of records.

Like I would always say, THE YAPPY BUNCH finds fun in EVERYTHING. And with our BAUAN PLAZA HOTEL staycation, we found A LOT.

THE BAUAN PLAZA HOTEL!

The newest and grandest hotel in the area recently opened August of last year and has already accommodated locals and tourists alike who wanted to experience luxurious living in the heart of Batangas City.

It is located just in front of the City church making BAUAN PLAZA HOTEL the ideal reception area for your next grand event. It was also very convenient for those who wanted to hear mass during a staycation. 

KTG CHRISTMAS PARTY (2014)

This holiday season, ERICJAZ FOODIES have been so blessed to be invited at what we feel is THE foodie Christmas event of the year.

The KTG Christmas party 2014!!!

Now this calls for one big "Ala Homer" WOHOO!!!!

You may remember our first KTG Christmas party where we were only about 20 gluttons and we pigged out on truffle lechon, wagyu burgers, etcetera etcetera.  For this year, everything (pwede ding everyone... tee hee) just got BIGGER... CRAZIER....

AND hungrier! Ha ha ha ha ha!

You could just imagine how wild it could get when you pack about 50 food fanatics with overflowing grub and drinks to stay in one big ballroom.

Insanity I'm sure.

But let me assure you, that our Christmas party that night was also about "food insanity" with a purpose.

Yup! And that is the beauty that is KTG!

Happy Holidays!

Homer burp! He he he he he he!

KTG logo by THE PICKIEST EATER

KTG CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014.

For those still wondering what KTG means, behold!

Venue for the night was the Titanium Ballroom in F1 Hotel Manila!

Wow! Not too shabby!

We were supposed to stay in the Canary Lounge at the poolside but because of the unpredictable weather, the party was moved indoors.

F CAFE AGAIN (F1 ALL DAY DINING)

Christmas may be all fun and "Fa la la la la la la la la la" but seriously, it could be one of the cruel holidays there is. Oooh yes! Diet all you want and have several hours running at the treadmill... when the holiday spread presents itself at you, you'll lose all  elements of reason and just surrender to the forces of food.

Yehesss... So cruel. 

That is exactly what happened after weeks and weeks of controlling my wild appetite. I thought I was already doing a great job and promised that I will really eat like a bird during our recent staycation at F1 HOTEL MANILA, when  HELLO! F CAFE was serving the Fiery and Frosty Christmas buffet!!!!

How?
What?
Where?
When????

And just like that Christmas won once more and I was powerless over all the hot and glistening food served at us.

Truly... truly cruel!

But I LOVE it!!!!

BWA HA HA HA HA!

the place of the round and red arches!

F CAFE (F1 ALL DAY DINING)!

Have a FIERY and FROSTY Christmas time by having their buffets during the holidays!

Lunch or Dinner Buffet P1,999.00 net

(December 24, 25, 30, 2014 and January 1, 2015

Dinner Buffet plus New Year Countdown Party at P2,999.00

(December 31, 2014)  

DEAR SPANKY'S BIRTHDAY ( A KTG SURPRISE!)

One of the highlights in the "life" of ERICJAZ FOODIES is being part of the KTG (Kain Tulog Gang) because finally, we met people who love food as much as we do and would also document it any way they can.

"Before somebody reacts, of course, my family and friends still top my list but I cannot tell you how many times I got the "Enough already!" when I take pictures of them! Pero naman when they see themselves in the blog, kilig na kilig! Che! Ha ha ha ha!"

Anyway, the person responsible for forming this "Foodie Family" is Mr. Spanky Enriquez... The Chairman... Our Pitboss...  THE Bossman!

So pogi!

Now many times I'm sure you saw me refer to him as "Dear Spanky". Hold on to your knickers, I'm not about to replace the Chinese Adonis.... yet (Bwa ha ha ah ah!). But at the start (and he doesn't know this), I did so to show respect to a person I regarded so high in social media (I was scared of him honestly at first!!!) that instead of referring to him as SIR Spanky (which he detested, violently!), I tweaked it up a bit and regularly called him DEAR (it's pretty close actually, especially if you have a hard tongue... he he he he he!). So from them on it was Dear Spanky this... Dear Spanky that. If you see my thought bubble, you would THINK I was also doing the "We're not worthy"action. NAKS! But of course, as time went on, I mentally dropped the DEAR as a stand-in for SIR and it really became what it stood for... calling somebody who is very DEAR to us.

I discovered that dear Spanky is REALLY a very cool guy and nothing to be scared about! He is actually the only person who believed in my blog (yes, the Chinese Adonis is NOT included) and would make me feel good about it at times when I doubted its silliness.

And believe me, with the way he is taking care of us in KTG, he deserves all the love that he is getting right now. I'm sure the others will agree that we owe him a lot. With that, it's no wonder why his group of hungry and lazy bloggers came together to surprise him on his special day. It was really the least that we could do to honor our King of the "Rawr" and our GODFATHER.

Dear Sir SPANKY! We love you to the farthest of Milky Way and back. Maybe that's why you'll always be somebody from another galaxy in our eyes!

:)

NEST MODERN TABLE AND BAR

Last Saturday, the Chinese Adonis and I were invited to try out the newest resto bar in Bonifacio Global City. It may mean moving our usual Saturday movie date night to Friday, but it's always fun meeting up with my foodie family so we were excited to go. Plus, it has been almost a month going on for my exercise program so I guess it's high time to reward myself with delicious food! 

NEST MODERN TABLE and BAR!

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!

B&B (BURGERS AND BREWSKIES 1ST YEAR ANNIVERSARY)

It's the first year anniversary of B & B (BURGERS AND BREWSKIES) and ERICJAZ FOODIES were there to celebrate the very meaty event!

BURGERS AND BREWSKIES was the break out burger joint in Burgos Circle and it's already a year old!

Sorry for the alliteration but you cannot have enough B's especially when it's a BEAUTIFUL BABE BLOGGING!

Bwa ha ha ha ha! 

BLECH!

KAT'S CAFE (AGAIN)

It's very rare that I'm at the Super South Side of the Metro since I'm so lazy from moving anywhere outside my comfort zone. But when me and some friends were invited to have dinner at ACACIA HOTEL, I thought, there was no other destined time for me to hit 2 birds with 1 stone by also checking out my new cupcake favorite, KAT'S CAFE.

I first encountered the creamy goodness of KAT'S CAFE, when we were given boxes upon boxes during our epic staycation in B HOTEL. Now several months have passed and even if I have already tasted other cupcake variants from this, this, and oh this, I was still craving for the very moist and fluffy deliciousness that only KAT'S CAFE cupcakes could give.

And so with that, I reached into my dark side and convinced my flabbiness that even if I already had dessert and coffee at ACACIA HOTEL, my life needed more of the sweetness of KAT'S CAFE. I then contacted Kathi of Mucking Around Manila to say that we'll be somewhere near her place and asked if she wanted to meet up. Turns out, she too was hankering for some my revered cupcakes.

So you see? It was really our sugary destiny to be graced with the lusciousness of KAT'S CAFE that stormy Saturday night. And believe me, nothing gives me a happier weekend than being able to taste and conquer a craving like that from KAT'S CAFE.

KAT'S CAFE!!

KAT'S CAFE was actually near ACACIA HOTEL, but traffic was horrendous that night so we got there after about an hour.  The Chinese Adonis and I also had a hard time looking for the restaurant because it was within a subdivision and we were so unfamiliar with Las Pinas. Even if Kathi said to look for a "well lit cupcake", we still cannot find it!

Good thing that KAT'S CAFE is moving to Robinson's Place Las Pinas at October 25, 2014.  SO YEY! At least it won't be as hard to look for my luscious cupcakes the next time we're at the South!

SILK ROAD (JERICHO'S BIRTHDAY)

One Sunday, Kathi (Mucking Around Manila) invited us to celebrate the birthday of her partner in crime Jericho (Tasty Pixels Photography) in SILK ROAD organized by the ever hot and voluptuous, Chef Cecille.  Now normally the Chinese Adonis and I don't go out with friends on Sundays as we vowed to spend it always with the little lords (hoping that they'll grow up to that tradition) but the masterminds manipulated their devoted grand parents to go somewhere that Sunday morning and left us by our lonesome. Plus, Kathi had generously invited my mareng Gail of Glog that I wanted to support my sexy friend in her second blogger invite. So yes, we agreed to join the mini Thai party and have a very sinful pig-out Sunday!  Instant date morning for us!

SILK ROAD!

SILK ROAD is located in the Net Quad building in Bonifacio Global City. If you have difficulty finding the restaurant, just look for these 4 metal figures dancing the whatever....