HALF SAINTS - TOMAS MORATO

The Yub and I had an overdue meeting with good friends Albert and Suet, aka THE POGI CEO couple (he he he he), as part of the Yub's birthday celebrations. However, just when we already agreed on a date, something came up (the life nga naman of a pogi CEO ha ha ha ha ha) so it's a mad scramble na naman to think of when and where.

Finally, we agreed to do it the Friday before my anniversary with the Chinese Panget. We also decided that since we were also supposed to treat this ever generous couple for the Yub's birthday, it's only fitting that we do the same in "sharing the love" (ick?) for our Anniversary.

The venue that night for us was HALF SAINTS because I saw the many recommendations it garnered online. It received a lot of raves from reviewers (either that or he's just my stalker... he he he he) that it has also gotten the curiosity of The Pogi CEO.

So HALF SAINTS it is!!! I told THE POGI CEO couple that I made reservations for 8:00pm when really it was for 7:30pm. I got confirmation from work that I could leave early and since these two were SOOOOOOOOOOO notorious for being so on time always, I wanted to go ahead of them and say GOTCHA!!!!!

And when we arrived, as usual, THEY'RE ALREADY THERE!!!

GRRRRR!!!

He he he he he! My mission is foiled again!

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL desserts (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

Even before my 40th birthday week, my BGP Marian would always tell me that she would treat me at TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL because she abso-frigginly loved their chocolate lava cake. She knew how much I am obsessed with chocolate that she also wanted me to try her new found favorite that was very fudgy, creamy, and oh soooo heavenly!

As they say, birds of the same feather love eating the same food together. Tee hee!

So after we got ourselves very full from the deliciousness of LUGANG CAFE, we got a bit of exercise by walking towards TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL. And yup, since we sweated a bit from that looong travel (tee hee) we felt so entitled to indulge.

And THAT we did in TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL.

Tee to the Hee!

TODD ENGLISH FOOD HALL!

(pant) (pant) FINALLY we made it! It was such a long walk from LUGANG CAFE to TODD ENGLISH!

If you think that TODD ENGLISH's "food hall" is something like a food court of cafeteria, you are so wrong!

DESSERTS AT BIZU

When BGP Marian and I go out with our husbands for dinner, we CANNOT end the night without having dessert. Before, we would always have our night cap in Starbucks or in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. But lately, our new favorite is BIZU in Greenbelt, Makati, simply because we love their cakes, coffee, and over-all look of the place!

It has already been a top favorite for us that it has almost been our tradition to end the night with our favorite BIZU whenever we're at the area! In fact, even if it's just me and the Chinese Adonis by our lonesome, you'll be sure to see us there!

Looking cute!

Blech. Sorry I just put that in to test if you're all still awake. He he he he he he! 

BIZU!!!

BIZU PATISSERIE has been serving its dainty cakes and pastries since 2001 from a very humble kiosk before. Now, it has already many branches in top establishments with a name that has become synonymous to classy catering. 

Entering BIZU is like going inside the looking glass of Alice In Wonderland. The bright pink and candy hues ARE reminiscent of a whimsical tea party that you would look for biscuits bearing the words EAT ME. 

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!

:)

GODIVA

After our Gondola ride at the VENETIAN HOTEL (SEE HERE) Yub and I spotted a familiar sight... 

GODIVA!

My husband and I were instantly hooked by this gentleman in black, diligently working on what seems to be a masterpiece.

KASHI MAKI from MY PINK WASABI

When it comes to desserts, I always go for my usual favorite: the ever fudgy, moist, and sinful CHOCOLATE CAKE. It never fails -- when we're out and I want to end the night with something sweet, it's chocolate cake; in a buffet I always cut me a generous slice of chocolate cake; heck when my Yub and I have an LQ (lover's quarrel), he would appease my temperamental senses with CHOCOLATE CAKE.

Lately however, I have been growing bulges in ALL THE WRONG PLACES that I feel it's not doing my bikini dream any good.

(Oh yes I HAVE a bikini dream. And when it becomes a reality, you'll be scared out of your pants for sure. Ha ha ha! Kidding!)

So now it was truly a candy-coated surprise for me to see a new and delicious way to enjoy my favorite dessert. The best thing is, I got MORE than my usual chocolate addiction. Because not only did it give me servings of MANY sweet delights but it came in these fashionable, unique, and "state of the art" bites that made me ooh and aah before wolfing it all down by  my lonesome.

Presenting, MY PINK WASABI!

MAGNUM MANILA

Every time me and the Chinese Adonis have dinner at one of restaurants along the stretch of SM Aura Skypark, we often pass by this place shrouded in black cloth. At first we would just dismiss that it may be something bleh under construction. But then we saw the sign MAGNUM  and right then we knew that  we should count the number of days, hours, minutes, and dagnabbit, even seconds to get a taste of its succulent ice cream... PLUS... OOOH...SOOO MUCH... MOOORE.....

(I was actually going for how the other sexy ladies do it in car commercials but I remember how my husband hysterically laughs when I attempt to do it, so never mind).

Anyway, the Chinese Adonis and I were so thankful to receive an invite to bask in the creamy glory of goodness of MAGNUM MANILA treats before its opening on April 8 (Tuesday). Even if we haven't had dinner yet, having our luscious dessert FIRST, was in order (pun intended). And remembering how fudgy and rich MAGNUM bars were, we were willing to forego even the usual 3 meals a day in order to indulge in these creamy temptations without any sort of remorse over our so called "diet".

Don't worry, one bite from your MAGNUM MANILA desserts and you'll be transported into a dimension where the word DIET is a virus and shouldn't be uttered out loud. Either that or you'll be so busy groaning like the sexy ladies from car wash commercials while eating your MAGNUM bar to even remember it. He he he he he!

MAGNUM MANILA!

OLIVE TREE KITCHEN AND BAR (OTKB)

It's the LOVE month once again and while ladies are fluttering in excitement at what February 14 may bring, their significant others are worried (to the DEATH I tells ya) as to how they will show their love in the most romantic and "facebook-worthy" way. He he he he! Well I should know. I have already reached the maximum of my sane level and I have given my husband a silent verdict that he should do something that would tickle me a bit or else he will be kicked out of the room.

I'm being mean again you say? Well he once gave me plastic flowers. Then on another year it was a P500 load for my prepaid phone. So I guess 10 years of that (not counting anniversaries) certainly warrant a not so subtle demand for romance don't you think?

Of course there ARE many choices to celebrate the special day of hearts from the practical (dinner at home), original (a hugfest at the Scream Park), naughty (cough motel cough), or even patriotic (a walk at Fort Santiago). But once in a while, the traditional "wining and dining" would be the safe choice to give you a winning score for the night.

With that, do check out OLIVE TREE KITCHEN AND BAR (OTKB). We recently had dinner at the new restaurant by Chef Rob Pengson (of The Goose Station) and the food was so good that I may want to drag my husband there even if it was not Valentines.

Come to think of it, he HAS 10 years to make up though... And I may have to count in Anniversaries!!! Tee hee!!!!

OLIVE TREE KITCHEN AND BAR!!!

OTKB stands where The Stock Market used to be in Bonifacio Hi Street. It has dimmed it lights and constructed interiors reminiscent of romantic Italian restaurants which gave that fine dining feel.

TABLEA CHEESECAKE (INDULGENCE BY IRENE)

Christmas came early for ERICJAZ FOODIES because HALLELUJAH we received a surprise gift that made our night more special and delectable! So for our meanies out there (and when I say OUR it really means, MY), HA! That just means Santa thought I have been very, VERY good this year. And it is now time to show my REAL colors! Tee hee!

Oh I am just kidding!

Anyway, after experiencing the heaven that is of QUEZO DE BOLA CHEESECAKE by Indulgence By Irene (see HERE) the foodie gods thought that I needed extra cellulite on my right hip and sent my way ANOTHER dessert that would surely be a favorite for the chocoholics out there. (You know that's you).

TABLE CHEESECAKE by INDULGENCE by IRENE!