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!!!!

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!!!!!

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!!!!!

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!!!

A CHILI'S DINNER FOR THE CHINESE DIMPOL

It's the Chinese Dimpol's weeklong birthday celebration and though the little lords cannot join us (being a school day and nearing exam week), I thought of giving him a simple treat at one of our favorite restaurants...

CHILI'S!!!!

To be honest though, this was not really supposed to be a full-blown birthday night (especially that it's a weekday and the boys are not with us). It's more like a He-Picked-Me-Up-From-Work-Now-We-Need-To-Eat somewhere type of thing. But since it's his birthday week, and it's more likely the boys are already asleep (I get out of work late), HE gets to choose where we'll go and what we'll do (baka gusto niya tumingin ng dibidi... He he he he he he!). When he chose CHILI'S, I'm so go na go!!!! Yun lang, I already ate because of our production meeting, but still, it's ALWAYS fun at CHILI'S!!!!!!

And what do you know?

THE FOOD ALPHABET family is here!!!!!

When we got to our table, I was about to ask the receptionist if we could go to the other side (for privacy kuno) but then we head the familiar greetings of THE FOOD ALPHABET family, kaya we're staying put here!!!!!

We joined up our tables! Instant gimik night! WOHOOOOOO!!!!!

OF WEIRDNESS AND CHILI'S P999 CRAZY DEAL!!!!

One Tuesday, I was tasked to buy something for work in the Greenbelt area. With that, I left the office early to head out to Makati because knowing the traffic situation these days, I might get to the store at midnight. On the way there, I decided to call BGP Marian and Manong Fred to join me for dinner with the Chinese Adonis (who was going to pick me up after my company driver leaves). Of course the first question that came forth right after I belted out the invitation was....

Where are we going to eat???

Though we have a lot of favorites in Greenbelt, Makati City, there was only one clear candidate that night -- CHILI's!!! It has forever been the favorite of me and the Chinese Dimpol's because it's where we met (yuk). And since I introduced it to BGP Mariane and Manong Fred (as an alternative to another favorite, TGIFRIDAYS), it has been on the top of their list as well.

Of course, one of the factors why we were raring to go to CHILI'S on a weekday is their P999.00 promo. Would you believe that for that affordable price,  we could share one (1) tasty appetizer and two (2) full-size entrees????

Yuh - uh... And THIS crazy deal was available for Mondays to Fridays!

So since it was a Tuesday....

CHILI'S is coming....

in our bellies!!!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!

CHILI'S DELICIOUS NEW CRAFT BURGERS!!!!!

I don't think I could stress enough how much ERICJAZ FOODIES love CHILI'S. Well for one, it WAS where the Chinese Dimpol and I first met via a blind date. And two, the taste and the quality of the food haven't changed since the day the restaurant opened it's doors to us. Yep!!! Unlike the franchises that have opened (some already closed) in the Philippines, CHILI'S has deliciously maintained the servings and awesomeness of their food. The Chinese Dimpol and I cannot have enough of it! We just HAVE to eat at CHILI'S not just to relive that first date (blech) but to get a dose of SUPER SULIT American/Mexican dishes as well!!!!

That is why when CHILI'S invited ERICJAZ FOODIES to try out their new craft burgers, we did not waste a minute (no a second) into making up our minds that WE WILL BE GOING. Add to that, an opportunity to hang out again with my favorite foodie group, THE KTG (Kain Tulog Gang) --- this is something we CANNOT miss for sure!!!

And we definitely DIDN'T!!!! It was a great night of KTG, good vibes, and UNFORGETTABLE juicy burgers from CHILI'S!!!

Yep! With CHILI's, more life SURELY happens here!

CHILI'S!!!!

It may be a weeknight, but CHILI'S Tomas Morato was jampacked!!!!!

CHILI'S GREENBELT

Just so you know, every Thursday has become "BGP Marian and Manong Fred day". It used to be Friday but the little lords are with us most of the time on the last day of the work week and we don't want to be stuck in the usual traffic when they pick me up from work and then go back to Makati (the middle point between us and BGP Marian).

So for our usual "BGP Thursdate", it was my turn to choose what restaurant to have dinner in, and for that night, I was deeply craving for American food. With that, the obvious choice would have to be dinner at our favorite CHILI'S BAR AND GRILL! We love it there not only because we find the food superkaduperfragalistic delicious, but the place also has a sentimental value for us since it is was where the Chinese Adonis and I first met.

YIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

Yuck.

Anywho, the meeting place then became CHILI'S BAR AND GRILL in Greenbelt, and once again we were assured of a very fun Thursdate even if it WAS in the middle of the work week.

Well if you combine superkaduperfragalistic delicious food and awesome company, you could never ever go wrong right?

YIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

Yuck again. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

CHILI'S BAR AND GRILL!!!!

It may be a work week but still, CHILI'S was full with hungry (and crazy) diners like us!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHILI'S (PART DEUX)

My husband may not be a romantic (NOT by a long shot believe me) but I could say that he would do what he can to make me happy. During his birthday weekend, even if the celebrant was supposed to get his way in EVERYTHING, he heard that I was craving for mashed potatoes and insisted that we eat somewhere that served it. 

Awwww... considering that he did not touch the stuff, isn't my guy the best? 

I did not tell him though that my mashed potatoes should have a side of steak... Ha ha ha ha ha!

And THAT was why we ended up at CHILI'S!

CHILI'S! One of our favorite restaurants because it is where we first met on a blind date!

BLECH!

CHILI'S BAR AND GRILL

When I was a little girl, I got a kick out of watching US advertisements. Of course before, since the "magic" cable was not yet available, I would only get to watch these commercials via the betamax tapes of my aunts who would record US tv shows such as Mission Impossible (new tv version) and classic movies.

AND my favorite of these commercials would always be the ones from CHILI's. Not only was everything so fast paced and colorful, but all the food were oh so bursting from their plates and seem really juicy!!! I remember that as a little girl, my fervent wish was to be able to eat at Chili's even just once. I don't care where or how, I just want to be able to see and taste the spread which I always see in their commercials!

I can't find the exact commercial which entranced me before but this seems to be one of them... CHILI AD!

He he he!

Anyway maybe that is the reason why when Chili's was franchised here in the Philippines, I did cartwheels and immediately did a solo dance of joy! My dream of eating there will finally come true!! And come true it did... MANY times. My family would always dine there and would have great nights filled with food... bursting with it. 

With this, every time a special occasion comes my way, I always make it a point to dine at Chili's.... Come to think of it, most of my unforgettable events include CHILI'S and one would be the first time I met my husband at a blind date. Yep! Chili's was the culprit (their nachos specifically)! Heck, we even gave out Gift Certificates to Chili's at our wedding!!!

Maybe Chili's and I were together in the past life... I don't know... Coincidence? Ha ha ha ha!

On February 14, 2009, Valentines Day, we decided to celebrate our cute-sy patootsy love by dining at the first place we met. Yup! Branch and all... We first laid (ew?) eyes on each other at Chili's Greenbelt! Don't you just love blind dates with a happy ending?

And don't you just love waiters who suddenly decide they want to be a photobomber?

Call us excited to eat here or what, but we ordered more than we could handle. As soon as the server put down plates and plates of food, my eyes bulged and I felt my mouth go dry...

Food was extra good believe me! But it was just too much. Like the Filipino age old saying goes "Tingin pa lang busog na" Ha ha ha ha! Next time I will try to limit my choices... I'm such a takaw mata yknow (ala Manny Paquiao)

So I decided to go back to Chili's with reinforcements and with a vengeance! This time I will be able to enjoy truly the food!

I love that my little son Mati is turning out to be a foodie like Mommy. He told me he wants to start his own blog too but would write about his adventures with his Ninjago toys. Ha ha ha!

I will help him start up and most definitely, this will be his profile picture. 

Hopefully he will write about his adventures with food too!

Like Mommy, Mati could chug down glasses and glasses of iced tea. When he grows up, I will definitely miss the time when I could be practical and just share 1 glass. Most definitely, I will have to order another one for him when he's all tall and muscular. Ha ha ha ha! I bet we will have contests on who gets to drink the most iced tea .

This was my post Birthday celebration (February 27, 2009) and woah look at me! I'm just 43 years old... or is it the other way around?

Let's EAT!

Yub's favorite in Chili's is their FISH AND CHIPS (P385). He usually orders extra lemon to spritz over that fried fish for a tad more of that fresh bite. We love that everything is fried just right and still maintained their juices. He eats it bare, while I steal his tar tar sauce and put it over everyhing.

As for me, no one and I mean NO ONE could ever steal ANY of my grub. Unless you value your life. 

JUUUUST kidding! I would usually share.... ketchup. Har de har har!

I would only dare to share with my son because he IS my flesh and blood. Otherwise, nada. 

You think I'm kidding? Ha ha ha ha! Maybe...

So it IS a wonder that my guy has stuck with me for so many years. If you are asking yourself the same question, it's because I AM JUST THE SWEETEST WIFE there is. 

To prove that, here we are celebrating his post birthday (March 14, 2009) at Chili's, yet again. I treated him here. So see? That's the secret to a long and happy marriage. Treat your guy always to chili's. Ha ha ha ha!

I love that you don't need to ask for refills in their iced tea. It's like their servers have this ICED TEA senses that would alert them when a glass is about half empty. This is me on my second glass...

Cheers!

Grub is here so LET'S EAT!

I always order the CHICKEN CRISPERS (P300) and request the sidings to be converted to their rice pilaf and steamed veggies. I also ask for extra bleu cheese dressing for an instant salad with my meal. He he he he! This has been my default order here at CHILI'S. Not only does each chicken strip, is plump and juicy, but they are VERY crispy. I think there was a time when I bit into one of these bad boys and something squirted.

I hope that did not come off as something dirty.

Our spread. Yub also orders an extra side of Onion Rings because  we cannot have enough sides. Plus it's great to munch on something crunchy while you're savoring each morsel of your chicken/fish.

I have another horrible picture of me eating but I don't want to scare you all would I? So I just erased that and posted this sweet version of me.

HOW-EH-VER, I cannot say the say thing for my husband. So sorry for him that I'm doing this blog. HA!

And THIS is for snoring so loudly last night!! Ha ha ha ha! Kidding!

Okay okay... I redeem myself with a handsome version of him eating... here. If you don't find him handsome as I do, well most probably because we are MFEOW... Made for Each Other WEEEH??! 

I love that in Chili's the waiters are attentive but never invade your private space. AT LEAST, I am still free to do this while eating there...

Of course my husband, being the guy that he is, decided of thinking something nasty while fishing out his fish tinga :)

Since I work at EAT BULAGA, I settle for just doing the "Kagat Labi" pose while eating.

Come to think of it, even if you do not work at EAT BULAGA, you might have the tendency to bite your lip sa sarap! :)

Have 32nd birthday to my Mark Anthony Fernandez :)

And there you go... EVERYTHING is wiped clean :)

Okay fine. I left a cauliflower and a slice of bell pepper. I seem to remember being on a diet then. 

Here's to my wish being fulfilled again and again at CHILI'S 

LET'S EAT!

Chili's Bar and Grill

Greenbelt 5

2/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St

Legazpi Village, Makati

(02) 729-2862