KUYA LEVS LOMI BATANGAS

When we went to Cavite for our New Year's Eve celebration (which I hope to be able to blog about soooon), we decided to have an early lunch at this restaurant I saw on tiktok --- KUYA LEVS.

I know what you're thinking "Where is this sosy wosy romantic haven that ERICJAZ FOODIES decided to go to?"

EEEENNGGGG wrong answer.

(I apologize for the pathetic text but that's supposed to be a buzzer sound. He he he he he). 

Anyway, come on!!!! As if you didn't know us. Dining at swanky places may be fun BUT we find it more thrilling to discover hole in the wall restos that get our worth in pocket and in appetite. 

So yep. KUYA LEVS was IT. Of course, don't expect to be mind- blown, but I assure you, that if you're craving this certain kind of food but you're in Cavite, then this is the spot to go to.

YEBAH.

Going on a trip in our favorite  rocket ship..... 

And we're here in KUYA LEVS!

OUR MEMORABLE TAKE-OUTS DURING LOCKDOWN

With the current pandemic that's going on, let me ask you this:

How did you cope?

Of course others would give the noblest of answers by answering "with prayer", or "with my family" or "by sharing our blessings." As for me, I'm sure you know that besides that, my quick (and very trivial) answer would be:

WITH FOOD!!!!!!!!!!

You guys all know that my family's love language is FOOD. When there is a special event, "LET'S EAT TO CELEBRATE!" is our usual battlecry. The place doesn't have be fine-dining or expensive. As long as the food is delicious and we were able to create wonderful memories with it, we'll go back to the place again and again.

So during this pandemic, since we're not able to go out and do our usual gimiks, we would just order food for delivery. And woah, I hope you don't mind me saying this but FOOD REALLY SAVED US.

My family and I love going out! As in, date night, family night, movie night, celebration night, etc etc, not to mention the getaways. So to be confined suddenly in one place seemed so nerve racking for us. We then resorted to just ordering food for delivery (even if my Mom cooks regularly at home) to have that feel of "going out." Alas, many stores were closed and it was hard to get a rider to accept our delivery services. I swear when somebody receive our orders I couldn't help but gush my thanks to the rider. Kulang na nga lang e yakapin ko. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Sharing with your the restaurants that "saved us" during the quarantine period. I would also like to give my utmost appreciation and salute to the delivery guys who answered our needs during that hungry time!!!!!!

THANK YOU! OH THANK YOUUU!

INENG'S SPECIAL BBQ

One Saturday before the pandemic...

We met up with Team Mina in Paranaque-ness. While deciding where, the BGP suggested we go to SM Sucat. Normally, I was fine there but remembering how the BGP is a cancer survivor and that her health defense system is way, way, way down, I asked if we could go somewhere else. I said that it's better if we just go to a restaurant that's not located in a mall. With that, the BGP recommended INENG'S Special BBQ!!!!!
 

WOHOO!

Turns out, this was their surprise (advance) birthday treat for me!

WOAHHH! 

TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS

Once upon a time before the pandemic...

My little family are such fans of Shabu Shabu that we cannot stay away from it for a long time. Fried Chicken, Pizza, Burgers, etc etc are fine when we're out but there's something deeply comforting about slurping on boiling hot soup, devouring the chewy noodles, and crunchy vegetables, then dipping it all on my spicy and "umami" filled sauce. We just gotta have it at least once a month in our mundane lives!

One night while the Yub and I were doing groceries, we came upon TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS. We have already been to their mothership TONGYANG buffet many years before but since we're watching our diets and our wallets, the "express version" would be perfect!

And we were right. TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS was just what we needed.  I think we'll be here A HUNDRED TIMES more.

(That's what you think... ha ha ha ha-- Jaz from the future)

TONGYANG SHABU SHABU EXPRESS!!!!!

OF IBON ADARNA AND CHEAP EATS

Once upon a time before the pandemic....

Every year, the little guys' school would arrange a "Repertory" family day where they invite families to watch their kid-friendly shows.

The Yub and I used to go every year with the little guys making it a Saturday "gimik" for us. I love theatre that's why I appreciate that the boys' school promotes this activity for the family.

For 2019 though, our family wasn't able to watch that year's Repertory Show of "THE QUEST FOR THE IBON ADARNA" with their classmates because we were in Japan that weekend. There were other shows but the boys have other school schedules that did not match up for the whole family.

Finally we just decided to split and as per Andrei's request, I went with him. It would have been better if the Yub and Master Mati were with us but my big guy had a school interaction that day and opted to watch on another weekend ALONE (yep ayaw na niya kami kasama... ha ha ha).

As for the Yub, any chance that he could escape watching musical theatre, he'll do so. That's why he just waited for us. Okay lang. I don't want to hear his loud snoring in the middle of the show anyways.

In the end, the bunsoy and I enjoyed it all and were so glad to have seen it. I appreciate that besides the catchy songs and the flashy costumes, we were able to have a refresher of this Filipino classic story.

We don't know if we'll still be able to watch Repertory Musical theatre shows in the future (especially that the boys are growing up and the pandemic might prohibit the school for organizing it). That's why it's a good thing that the bunsoy and I had a great time watching "THE QUEST FOR THE IBON ADARNA" because we don't know when's the next magical theatre experience for us is going to be.

So for now, ENJOY! 

THE QUEST FOR THE IBON ADARNA!!!!

Dan! Dan! Daaaannn!

MAD MARK'S (ROBINSON'S GALLERIA)

(LATE POST - Our lunch was last December, 2019)

Saturdays used to be reserved for date nights or gimiks with friends but lately my weekends are now reserved for family. I'm working on weekdays and the boys are usually asleep by 8:30pm (my usual time in getting home). That's why I usually make my plans for friends during that time.

One Saturday, THE YAPPY BUNCH were out and about again and we decided to go to Galleria for some shopping and ikot ikots.

When deciding where to eat, I remembered the tip of a cute reader and suggested MAD MARK'S! Alam nyo naman me, basta food, I'm open to ALL suggestions.

Glad that I listened because my guys LOVED it!

Check out our gimik below!

MAD MARK'S in Robinson's Galleria!

MARUGAME UDON

ERICJAZ FOODIES have a new favorite these days...

MARUGAME UDON!!!

Could you blame us? The place serves delicious Japanese food at affordable prices. At the same time, they have this efficient system ensuring fast service and seating. So yeah, it's pretty understandable why this would be our current favorite.

And when I say current favorite it means we'll be eating here as much as we can!

Tee to the HEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MARUGAME UDON!!!

BULALO POINT (TAGAYTAY CITY)

THE YAPPY BUNCH have been to TAGAYTAY many times already but I just realized that we would eat many things EXCEPT for Yub's favorite -- BULALO.

It's not really because we have this hidden hatred for him (tee hee...) but more because when we eat out we're always on a budget and a big bowl of bulalo is usually priced at about P500.00. Add to that, our little boys don't like bulalo so much and would always get Pizza or Carbonara.

KAYA SORRY KA NA LANG YUB. BWA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Fast forward to 2019 where the little boys are older with bigger appetites. We went to TAGAYTAY for a family weekend in ANYA and when deciding where to eat, the Yub put his foot down and said that we'll be eating BULALO.

We were all like, "Chill grandpa... ", and agreed. He he he. Truth be told, Mati and I were actually very curious to try out this restaurant recently raved about by our favorite vlogger Strictly Dumpling, that BULALO was actually on the itinerary that weekend.

So yeah, dreams finally came true (especially for one panget) and we're happy that our first experience with BULALO as a family was a success.

Would love to go back to BULALO POINT again!!!!!!!

Tapos hindi kasama si Yub...

BWA HA HA HA HA! Kiddingsssss! 

BULALO POINT!!!!!

OF SPIDERMAN AND BONCHON

One of Master Mati's close friends, Johans, is sleeping over for the weekend and we told them that they could do anything EXCEPT play PS3!

HUWAAAAAAAAT??? Suddenly they wanted to cancel. Ha ha ha ha!

Kidding! They know that I cannot resist them and their cuteness.

Truth be told, they really didn't mind TOO much that they were not allowed to play PS3 because they bought new Gundam sets which they agreed to assemble at our house.

After about 2 or 3 hours of working, look what they finished! Yay!

FINIO (TOMAS MORATO)

It was Friday and the Yub and I were deciding where to go for DATE NIGHT!!! You know us, we're okay anywhere, as long as it fits our super low standards and budget. He he he he he!!!!

Good thing that during breaktime (stress on the BREAKTIME), I was scrolling thru Facebook and saw this ad for FINIO. I checked it out and can't believe how at the low price of P295.00 you get to eat crispy pata and mongolian barbecue ALL YOU CAN!

But wait, there's MORE!

Besides the eat all you can Crispy Pata and Mongolian Barbecue, you also get some hot dishes, a salad, plus pasta, and drinks!!!

HUWAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!!! How can that be??

It's true Mike! He he he he he!

Anyway so when I brought it up with the Yub, I didn't need to say that it is only P295.00, because he was already tumbling for joy at the thought of having Crispy Pata as much as he can.

That's AMAZING! (Well moreso that he knows how to tumble pala... he he he he)

Now how did we find our dinner?

Basa basa lang pohzzzz....

He he he he he!

We're in FINIO!!!!

A LATE NIGHT KANTO BREAKFAST (SAN JUAN)

Whenever there's a play or musical theatre showing that is co-produced by the company, I would always watch with my usual people -- My Mommy, my Ate, my friend Aning, and the Yub (oh he's so happy about it).

I really look forward to play or musical theatre dates not only because of the actual show but I like the late dinner afterwards. Call me weird or mababaw but having a show AND dinner is like THE complete date night with that cultural touch. He he he he he he!

For that night, we're going to watch BEAUTIFUL!!!

HYUN HEE KOREAN RESTAURANT (MANDALUYONG)

One night, I was craving SOOOO hard for Kimchi Soup that I haven't even greeted or texted the Yub to ask about his day when I immediately whined to him that I wanted some Korean food.

Okay! My Yub agreed with matching smiley faces and hearty hearts.

Wait a minute. That was a little too fast (with matching lambing lambing pa), that I became suspicious: Baka may hidden agenda?

Whatever it was, I plan to enjoy the gloriousness of my Kimchi Soup first then just pick a fight with him afterwards. Bwa ha ha ha ha!!!! That will spoil his obvious "plan."

Yeahh... I'm a model wife I know.  

YAY! I'm going to have some Kimchee soup!

THE COFFEE SHOP (UNIMART GROCERY)

Greenhills Shopping Center used to be like "home" to our family. At the time when Powerplant Mall, SM Megamall, Shangrila Mall, etc, were not yet existent, GREENHILLS was the place to be for us:

-- It was where we heard mass (Santuario de San Jose).
-- It was where we did our shopping (before the infamous tiangges and dibidis dominated the place).
-- It was where my Mom and Dad would jog and exercise (their basis was how many times they could go around the shopping center).
-- It was where we celebrated family events (Sun Moon, Kimpura, Mcdonalds, etc).
-- It was where we did our groceries (Unimart).
-- PLUS MANY, MANY MORE (since a LOT of memories are flooding in my head right now like the opening of Mcdonalds, me joining their first halloween contest and seeing a kiddie Lea Salonga, eating in old restaurants like Green Patio, Tom Sawyers, etc, borrowing laser discs, having Coney Island ice cream, etc, etc, etc.)

That's why imagine my grief after my Daddy went to heaven and the Yub and I passed by GREENHILLS shopping mall. I immediately broke down in sobs because I could see him EVERYWHERE. (The same thing happened with my Mom -- she had a difficult time going to Greenhills because wherever she went, she would see one of their friends/sukis who'd greet her and look for Daddy. Besides their Greenhills barkada, my parents kasi are also friends with a whole lotta people there -- the security guards, the Mercury Drug salesladies, the other store salesladies, etc. etc.)

Then suddenly, I don't know if it's God's way of helping me or what, GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER had a major renovation that it's not like the one we went to before. EVERYTHING WAS NEW! At first it got me a bit sad that I somehow "lost" the place that we went to almost everyday before. But at the same time, I'm grateful because at least my heart won't be in pain anymore whenever I see the places that had special memories of him. (Maybe my Dad loved Greenhills so much that he "brought" it along with him in heaven? Ha ha ha ha!).

So one time we needed to do groceries and the Yub suggested we go to UNIMART because it's already so near us. I gave him a hesitant "Okay" because I know I've been putting off going to the new UNIMART for so long. I don't know why but I know it would just feel so weird going there without asking my Daddy to buy me something from "Orange Julius." I was comforted with the thought though that at least the place is new and is not like the old UNIMART that we loved. So off we go to UNIMART for our groceries and everything went smoothly naman. It was just AFTER shopping that I became emotional again.

Do you know how some other people would hear a song and remember something with it? Well that's ME and FOOD.

Yup. Read on. Ha ha ha ha ha!
 

We're in UNIMART!!!! The new one that is!

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!!!

RECESS FOOD ALLEY

For VALENTIMES SEASON, we were supposed to take out the little lords for our family date that Friday. We have already arranged everything: I have made reservations in our favorite Healthy Shabu Shabu, and tickets were ordered for our movie.

However, we were not meant to go out that night. :(

Saying that traffic was terrible is an understatement -- everything was on a standstill!!!!! Well it was a bit our fault too because we thought luck would be on our side for this gimik night and we'll be able to go to Powerplant Mall smoothly from Quezon City.

Yeah. Yeah. On a payday Friday that was also a day after Valentimes. Ang galing namin no? We were too positive for our own good. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

So we broke the bad news to the little lords that Fridate was cancelled and they understood the situation naman. With that, the Yub and I were left to ourselves again (ahuhuuuuyyyy) and since it was still VALENTIMES week, we suddenly had an another date night for the season of hearts.

Where to go???

Syempre, I don't want the Yub to spend a lot. He already took me out yesterday and we're still due to go out this weekend with the family.

With that, I remembered going to this homey food court that is fast becoming one of my new favorites because they're serving my kind of food: CHEAP AND DELICIOUS!!!!

RECESS FOOD ALLEY!!!!!!!!

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!!!!!!!!!!!

YASURAGI BAGUIO WITH MOMMY (2018)

While planning our BAGUIO TRIP last December, we were all seriously deciding our itinerary because we want everything to be perfect with my Mommy. Of course, besides the places to go, we were all thinking hard about the restaurants we'll eat in.

Big problem though -- as much as we wanted to try all of the top restaurants in BAGUIO, we always go back to our favorites (Sizzling Steak, O Mai Khan, Glenn's Diner... ). AS IN PAULIT-ULIT KAMI!!!

Finally, we all mustered the strength to try out something new. We got some recommendations from friends which we all wanted to go to. However, due to the HORRENDOUS TRAFFIC that holiday weekend, we ended up in this humble Japanese restaurant that seemed to be so far from the busy and noisy streets of BAGUIO.

YASURAGI!

In the end, we were all glad that the jammed roads led us to this quiet home that served delicious and affordable Japanese food. And with this wonderful discovery (that is surely a must-try for everyone), we have another restaurant to add to our BAGUIO list that will ALWAYS be on rotation for us.

He he he he he he!!!! 

Yohoo!!!!

Like I mentioned above, YASURAGI was like a house converted into a restaurant. The great thing too was that it was inside a mini-compound so there were parking spaces available that was (somewhat) far from the honking roads of BAGUIO that weekend.

O MAI KHAN MONGOLIAN WITH MOMMY (2018)

I know! I know! I've had a LOT of O MAI KHAN blogs already (2 in fact) and I should be stopping because we are just eating the same things at the same time (dinner).

HOWEVER.....

I have always said that my blogations is more of an online diary where I want to jot every special memory that happens. Eh, for this BAGUIO TRIP, we are with my Mommyowzers, her first time with us and her first BAGUIO TRIP in a looooooooooong time pa, so I really wanted to record EVERYTHING that we do with her.

And of course, one of the goals in our weekend is to have her taste our favorite food in BAGUIO.

Enter O MAI KHAN (again and again.... )

WOHOOO!!!

May isang tao o, beautiful eyes pa!

DONU AGAIN WITH THE FAMILY

For one Sunday family lunch, my Mommy craved for some Korean food and asked where we could go after mass.

Hmmmm..... Korean restaurants are so abundant now in the Metro that deciding where to go could be a Herculean task. Not only that, the popular ones would surely be sporting long lines that the shortest wait time would probably be an hour or more.

Poor us! Eh we're hungry na!!!!!

I then remembered our recent midnight dinner at DONU and mentioned it to the family. I told them that DONU is a simple Korean restaurant that satisfied our cravings before.

GAME, they said. That's where my Mom will treat us for Sunday lunch they said.

And life was so well again! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Yep! Food does that to us.

May reklamo?

:P

DONU!!!!!!

MIEN SAN AGAIN

MIEN SAN is one restaurant in San Juan that you couldn't miss because of its bright lights and colors along Granada street. We have only eaten there once but even if we want to go back again, we just haven't gotten ourselves to do so well because we would usually prefer the convenience (and the variety of places to go to) in a mall.

One time after he picked me up from work, the Yub and I were deeply craving for some of our favorite Ramen. But when lo and behold we went to our usual place, we were SO disappointed to discover that it was closed. With that, MIEN SAN somehow "called" our attention and invited us to go back inside.

MIEN SAN was not as spacious as it was before and I think they cut down on rental space because they have another branch along Annapolis street. Still, this restaurant maintained that homey and comfy Chinese family vibe that it was popular for. And after our meal, the Yub and I loved our dinner that once again made promises that we would go back for some more.

My sexy tummy: "YES! Please don't be your usual forgetful self and forget!!!!!!!"

>:P 

YOHOO! We're in MIEN SAN!!!!

(In fairness, I think ang ganda ko sa pic!)