HIGHLANDS STEAKHOUSE (MOA)

It's VALENTIMES and like what we do every year, the Yub is tasked to find a place for our loving (kuno) date.

(I said kuno because seriously, we would use ANY excuse to go out for good food. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

Supposedly we would go to our usuals (MAMOU or WAGYU STONE GRILL) but the Yub wanted to try something new.

At first I was complaining because lazy me only want to go someplace near (aka not too far when my tummy comes a-grumbling). However, it's very rare when the Yub doesn't give in to my bratty whims that okay fine, with rolling eyes, I followed na.

And so we ventured out for HIGHLAND'S STEAKHOUSE!

YIHIIIIII!!! DATE KAMI!!!!!

OUR FIRST DATE POST ECQ

Ever since the pandemic started, my family and I dutifully stayed at home. Save for work and other essentials, there's no going out for us.

The great thing was I had such a great family that I didn't mind the solitary life with them. I didn't yearn for our usual mall gimiks, or out of town trips -- as long as we're all together (eating, doing chores, praying the rosary, having movie nights, etc), I'm happy.

Yun lang the Yub didn't agree. He REALLY wanted to go out and fast. BWA HA HA HA HA! So di siya masaya sakin ganern??? Che!

Kidding! In his defense, he has been religiously working at home for 4 straight months now, only going out for grocery runs. So yeah, he felt like having a bit of a social life even for just a few hours.

That weekend, the boys were in Antipolo with my brother's family so I didn't have that guilty feeling of going out without them. With that, the Yub jumped at the opportunity and excitedly invited me out for a mini-date in Powerplant Mall.

To be honest, if given the choice I'd rather stay at home and chill. At the same time I wanted to be practical and just save money. The Yub though was very insistent and declared that he will treat me to ANYTHING. Minsan lang naman daw.

E DI SIGE! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Basta I already raised my points ah (nagpapilit... he he he he).

FINALLY after 4 months, we're out on a date!

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!!!!!

OUR VALENTINE'S (2020)

And how was your VALENTINE'S? Or as I call it, VALENTIMES!!!

To be honest I was not really expecting much for VALENTIMES. I was angry with the Yub for something and didn't feel like going out AT ALL. Plus, I'm sorta lazy with the plans for that weekend.

Then on the day of VALENTIME'S I saw THIS again -- my Dad's last card noting it as "From a secret admirer," and I remembered how he made such a fuss about VALENTIME'S every year.

When we were still little brats he would always give my Mommy flowers and box of chocolates (the one that Forest Gump loved -- assorted). Tee hee... I remember my siblings and I would look hungrily as my Mommers opened her box of chocolates and she would just give it all to us to devour.

As we grew older, my Daddyowzers would then order flowers and have it delivered to me "from a secret admirer." (I was an ugly duckling then so I guess he took pity on me. Ha ha ha ha ha). I

Even after I developed into a ravishing young lady (he he he he he) he continued sending me flowers with the usual "From your secret admirer" or "From: Roger" (his codename).  Sometimes he would even request our driver to give the bouquet of flowers at my work so that my officemates would see how I had "somebody". Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

So yeah. My Dad is the reason why I'm such a romantic. VALENTIME'S was such a big deal to him that he would give flowers to all of the girls in the family and household (yep, his secretary and help included) and be extra mushy to my Mommy.

That's why I realized, I shouldn't be such a crab this VALENTIME'S. This is one of the events where Daddy made it more meaningful for me and I should honor his loving efforts  by having fun this day of hearts.

I'm sure he would've loved it that way (pun sorta intended).

Sharing with you my VALENTIMES' celebrations this year and I hope "naka-iskor" kayong lahat!

Tee to the hee!!!!!

HAPPY VALENTIME'S!!!!

EWWWWW!

DOUBLE DATE NIGHT AT CONTI'S

One Friday, our kiddies were left at home as the Yub and I had a couples night with good friends Aning and Jonahs.

Aning and I have been good Best Buddies (or BBs) since college and we're happy that now, even our boys are close buddies too. Yun lang everytime we plan a meet-up, hindi pwedeng wala sila (mga asungots... kidding!)

But one night, we had no choice but leave them at home as it was so traffic and the Yub came from Pampanga pa before picking me up at QC. So even if we would have loved for them to join us, the Yub and I had an instant couples night with Team Virrey.

And you know what? We missed "this"! Of course, it would be more fun with the boys around but this was a nice change. And we felt like we were back in college again.

So yay! The Fabulous Fridays' Freaks lives on!

Yup that's what we called ourselves back then. Baduy no?

:P

We're at CONTI'S!!!!

HOUSE OF WAGYU STONEGRILL (2019)

The Yub and I were celebrating our 20 years of being MAG-UN, and as expected, he forgot about it.

With that, I contemplated on how I should handle the situation...

Should I be the model wife and just understand everything? We're already married anyways and that's more of a blessing.

OR....

Should I be petty and make a big drama about how he's always forgetting special events? In that way, he'll think of a way to make up. Big time.

Syempre I chose the latter.

Tee hee... Oh wells. Before you get angry, know that I did it for women everywhere who have fallen victim to the "forgetful husband syndrome." Let's all unite and fight for our right!!!

Naaah. Kidding. I'm just hungry and craving for some steak. Ha ha ha ha ha.

Carry on!! 

Happy 20th to us!!!

BLECH.

OF MAD MARK'S AND DOWNTON ABBEY

Ever since I saw the trailer DOWNTON ABBEY, I got so excited to watch it. I told Mommy, Ate Jit, and BGP Mariane that we'll all see the movie together since we're fans of the show. The series only had 5 seasons and even though my heart was broken with the death of Matthew (SPOILER!!! Well, if you haven't seen this wonderful series, then it's your fault), I still saw through it till the end.

Yun lang I was concerned if DOWNTON ABBEY was a movie worth seeing in the theatre or just in download because the last time I checked, it didn't have the action packed scenes and effects of Marvel movies. It's okay. I'm sure it'll be a great ladies' night out for us anyway.

HOW-EVER, my Mom and ate Jit watched ahead without me!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! I have work on Fridays (while my sister didn't have clinic) so it was when they decided to go for it. At first they were like, "Oh, we'll not watch without you...." then later on they still went ahead knowing I'll get it out late.

HMP. That was on purpose for sure.

I was hoping to watch it with the BGP but she got sick and was advised by her doctor not to stay in enclosed spaces (aka theatres). Kaya haaaaay... Now who does that leave me?

THE YUB. GRRRRRRRR.....

Okay before I get judged, understand that my husband is my favorite movie date of all. BUT, he has this big habit of falling asleep easily. As in, kahit naguusap kami, he'll snooze. Now imagine what he'll do when instead of his favorite action movies, we're going to watch a period piece (something that has loads of dialogue at that).

Not a good picture right? Of the Yub I mean.

Oh well.... As much as I wanted to watch it on download, I cannot wait anymore so I DEMANDED the Yub that we'll watch DOWNTON MOVIE on date night.

Good thing he agreed. And since Im sure he's already thinking about wasting about bucks because he'll just sleep through it, I decided to look for movie houses that charged less for tickets. And that's how we ended up in BGC for our movie. I think at only P300.00 per pax (compared to the others that charged about P400.00), this is a good price.

And then where to eat?

We don't really go to BGC often so we're not familiar with the restaurants at that part in the metro. Good thing that after buying our tickets, I saw MAD MARK'S!

We have long wanted to try out MAD MARK'S because we saw how the food was good and the prices very affordable. So at least yay -- that would be the Yub's consolation from "wasting" his money in the theatre by sleeping.

Hmmmm... If MAD MARK'S dishes will give us a bang for our buck, that means we could order more and get bondat!!!! Yun lang, that would mean the Yub would get so full and get all sleepy again afterwards.

Oh well, NOTHING will stop that from happening. So might as well enjoy meself na lang.

He he he he he.... 

    

MAD MARK'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NIPA HUT

One night, I had a sudden craving for some good old sizzling sisig that when I told my ugly husband, he was like "Sige... Dun tayo sa (ganito) and (ganito)." (Yup. Sisig is already a regular part of our dietary menu.)

MEH. I thought aloud. Why not try something new???

But where? We could try this restaurant and that restaurant but it just didn't appeal to me. Finally, while we were driving home, we passed by an old favorite which had been sitting atop the "mountains of Pasig for many years....

NIPA HUT!!!!!!

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!!!!

SHAKE SHACK (PHILIPPINES)

It was a holiday and even if my mindset was to stay in bed the whoooooole day and just watch Netflix, the Yub naman was determined to go out.

E DI LUMABAS KANG MAG-ISA MO!

Tee Hee! Kidding!

I agreed later on because the Master Mati had a sleepover while the bunsoy Andrei went out with his Lola (yes, he'd rather go out with her than us). When deciding where to go, the Yub said we should try out SHAKE SHACK.

ANAK NG.... HAVE YOU SEEN THE LINES THERE???!!!!!

Sometimes I really don't get how my husband's mind works (especially when he goes for the weird choice). One thing I could say though: if he feels strongly about something he would stick to it no matter what the cost.

I'm sure you have an idea as to how bratty I could be but that is nothing to the Yub when he's hell bent on something. You'd think that he's a horse wearing blinders.

So to SHAKE SHACK we went and even if there were long lines, my Yub was adamant to stay.

In the end, I'm thankful because at least we were able to try out this popular burger franchise in the US. At the same time I realized that waiting is not really hard when you have a loving asungot with you.

TEE HEE.....

BLECH.

We're in SHAKE SHACK!!!!

GANSO SHABUWAY AND AVENGER'S ENDGAME AGAIN

I guess it's fairly obvious how my boys and I are such super hero addicts. That's why after watching AVENGER'S ENDGAME, we wanted to watch it again and again.

One weekend, my big guy and I thought that it's high time for our AVENGER'S ENDGAME part two. My Master Mati pointed out that it could be our pre-Mother's Day date already.

Awwwww... That's my Mati! He's a man with a plan!!!!!

With that, I asked him what he wanted for dinner. He wanted to know what I craved first but I countered how making him happy makes me happy already. He then thought long and hard and chose a restaurant where we recently enjoyed that the Yub was not in a hurry to eat in. We both looked at each other and said in unison --

GANSO SHABUWAY!!!

He he he he!

Yihiii.... It's date night for us!!!!!

SAN FRANCISCO STEAK HOUSE (2019)

On nights I get out of work late, the Yub and I would eat somewhere because who knows what time we'll get home with the flow of traffic. However, as much as I enjoy insta-date nights with him, eating out almost everyday could get pricey. That's why many times when the Yub asks me where I'd like to eat, I often say "Sa mura lang".

We were lucky one time because while we were driving around deciding on where to eat, we chanced upon SAN FRANCISCO STEAKHOUSE in bright lights that seem to be "calling" out to us. At first we were hesitant to go because the place seemed empty. But after parking, we saw that most of the people were inside and not visible from the road.

So yay! We discovered a new place to go to. The best part too was their menu is so affordable that we could go here many times as we want!!!!

SAN FRANCISCO STEAK HOUSE!!!!

Yep! That's the bright lights I'm talking about!

OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS (2019)

The Yub and I recently celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary and let me say how it felt like it's only been 10 minutes....

UNDERWATER! He he he he he!

Let me share with you our many celebrations when our blessed union (BLESSED UNION DAW O!!) turned 1-6. He he he he he!!! We had so many and I'm very thankful that we were able to honor our crazy marriage in our favorite ways.

Of course, I'm more thankful that I am able to celebrate it with the person that St. Joseph felt was meant for me.

Either THAT or He was giving me this big joke.

KIDDING!

Tee hee..... :P

 

We're 16 years and counting!!!!!!

Oh and just in case you're wondering, we took this picture 16 years ago to greet our future selves!

LA CARNITA MODERN MEXICAN CANTINA

One night, I was craving for Mexican food soooo much that I spent an hour in the office looking for restaurant recommendations.

(Remembers something) OOPS! Ah eh.... 1 minute! I meant 1 minute in the office... He he he he he he he he!

(Buti na lang nobody in the office reads my blogs)

ANYWHO....

I looked up the top Mexican food in the area and came across the name LA CARNITA. It has received many good reviews and it's the restaurant where that viral video of nachos doused in cheese came from.

So LA CARNITA it is!!!!!

It was also the season of hearts so it was perfect for the VALENTIMES season. At least, we'll be going somewhere affordable that I was craving for. Eh you know the Yub, he lives to answer my cravings.

Teka. That didn't sound right. Pero pwede din. He he he he he!

Here's our pre-VALENTIMES date in LA CARNITA! Did it answer my cravings?

Oh you'll see. You'll ALL see!!!

Dan. Dan. DANNNN.....

LA CARNITA!

YUUJIN JAPANESE CUISINE AGAIN!

The Yub and I have a new favorite when it comes to cheap yet delicious Japanese food -- YUUJIN!!! We would often pass by this house converted to a restaurant many times when going home from the office. At first we stayed away from it thinking it was expensive. But when I recently checked the menu, the prices were far from NOBU. Ha ha ha ha ha! Manageable naman. So now, whenever we have an instant craving for some simple Japanese food, we always head on straight to YUUJIN...

And then magbibiglang liko kami.

Sorry I cannot resist. We don't do that naman kasi.

:P

YUUJIN!!!

OF JOHNNY CHOW AND EL BIMBO

The Chinese Dimpol got tickets to the popular musical play "ANG HULING EL BIMBO" that as a result, we had an insta-Sundate. Yup! Just me and the Chinese panget.

Well, I'm sure the boys would've LOOOOOVED to come with us (NOT!) but they have lakad with their Lola in Cavite so this date was just right for the two of us.

Pwede pang magbiglang liko going home.

EWWWWW. Oh. I'm. KIDDING.

When we got to (whispers) Resorts World Manila, we immediately set out to do an important mission. No, we didn't go to the theatre to get ready for the show. Rather, we looked for a restaurant to have our quick lunch before the show. He he he he he!

Syempre, priorities! Priorities!

We went around and since most of the places were interested in were full, we ended up in JOHNNY CHOW because for one, we haven't eaten there yet, and two, the Yub absolutely loved Chinese food.

Hopefully the food there in JOHNNY CHOW is good because I hate trying out new restaurants only to leave disappointed (that's why we eat at the same places tuloy).  Come to think of it though, we enjoy everywhere we go to because there is always something to be happy about and it's always fun as long as we're together.

Especially if biglang liko.

EW.

He he he he he he he!

Helloooo JOHNNY CHOW! CHOW!

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!)

SCHMIDT'S HOTDOGS AND AVENGER'S THE 3RD TIME

I think I have mentioned before how the Chinese Dimpol and I have a "schedule" that we follow with regards to our so-called social life: Friday is with friends, Saturday is date night, and Sunday is for family. Of course, we don't really follow that schedule to a T (depends on availability also), sometimes we go out with the little lords on Friday, sometimes we go out with friends on Saturday, then many times, the Yub and I would have date night during weekdays because he picks me up from work. When the little kiddies were younger we didn't go out on weekdays since they would always wait up for us before going to sleep. Now, since they're so concerned about waking up early for school, they're already in bed by 7:30pm-8:00pm -- the time when I'm only about to leave work. With that, the Yub and I are able to go out more on weekdays because the little ones do their homework, eat dinner, and sleep early without waiting up for us anymore.

You could say it's like YEHEEYYY! PARTY! PARTY! TUGS! TUGS! for us now since they're older. He he he he he!

Anywho, one Friday the kiddies deserted us, our friends blocked us on Facebok (hi hi hi hi), while our family  removed us from their inheritance. So that meant it was only the Yub and I that Friday for our date!

And the Chinese Dimpol and I went to new SANTOLAN TOWN PLAZA by Rockwell!!!

(Ang haba haba ng intro ito lang pala... He he he he he!)

The mall was fairly new and had many unopened stores. 

But these 2 food trucks caught  my eye.

WILDFLOUR CAFE + BAKERY (AGAIN)

One Friday night, ERICJAZ FOODIES met up with friends Albert (the POGI CEO as I would always call him... ha ha ha) and his equally lovely wife, Suet, in Greenhills. When deciding where to go, I left him to make the choice (at baka Jollibee mapili ko.., Ha ha!!). As expected of my OC friend, he really deliberated on it and gave me numerous "candidates" for our night-out that was so long overdue na.

In the end, we went for WILDFLOUR CAFE + BAKERY, a restaurant where we had a stormy lunch in at their Podium branch. But this time, we'll mark this mini-reunion of sorts in WILDFLOUR in Greenhills. I'm sure the POGI CEO has already forgotten our gimik before in Podium (OR maybe he's reminiscing???) but I'm sure, he and dear Suet had a deja vu moment with the same comforting delicious food and the (ahem) superkaduper fun company.

Naks!!!

Check out ERICJAZ FOODIES enjoyable night with the POGI CEO couple in WILDFLOUR CAFE + BAKERY!

WILDFLOUR is located at the new O Square Building at the ground floor. To enter, you would have to go to their doors facing the Ortigas Avenue main streets.

OUR VALENTINE'S (2018)

VALENTIMES arrived. And even if I'm normally very excited for this  happy hearts day celebration every year, I have to admit I was not that into it as I was before. Of course, a big part of my lack of enthusiasm was losing my first Valentine  and I was expecting (or dreading) that everything will be different this year.

It turns out, everything went like it was before: I received flowers, I got kisses from my boys, some officemates gave me chocolates, had great dates with the hub and the family -- I actually had a lot of fun during VALENTIMES.

But how did it REALLY turn out?

See below!

Happy VALENTIMES!!!!

When I woke up, lo and behold, somebody was creepily standing there with a proud smile. If it weren't for the flowers, natadyak ko to ng di oras. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Sorry. I'm an aswang talaga in the mornings.

When I came to my senses na... Awwwwww... Thank you so much Yub!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!

When I got downstairs, I got some candy hearts from my sister and more flowers from my Kuya Jon.

On my way to office, I saw many posts about VALENTIMES. My favorite would have to be this one.

I read this in the voice of Ken Jeong from The Hangover movies. Ha ha ha ha ha!

A close second would have to be this one.

Now I wonder how THAT happened??? Hmmmm.... Tee Hee!