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!!!!!!!!

A SAD VISIT TO GENKI SUSHI

I'm sure it's fairly obvious by now that one of our favorite restaurants is GENKI SUSHI. From its first branch with the long lines to the other branches that answer our "instant sushi cravings", GENKI SUSHI has always been there for us.

It is also with GENKI SUSHI that we find ourselves usually commemorating the start and/or end of summer . I really don't know why and how this came to be but since GENKI SUSHI has equaled "HAPPINESS" for me and the kids, they quickly hooked it up with their summer vacation.

Basta when classes end, we just HAVE to eat at GENKI SUSHI!!!!

HOWEVER, for this particular visit, it was a bittersweet dinner in GENKI SUSHI. The Yub and I decided to treat the boys here again to formally say goodbye to their SUMMER VACATION (to lessen the pain, kumbaga... He he he he he).  So everything was fun as usual -- chomp, chomp, chomp, order, order, order, train, train, train, but there were periods where one of the boys would comically wail and cry "I don't want summer vacation to end!!!!!!"

There... there... my sweet summer child (tee hee). Before you know it, we'll be back here again but this time to start summer. He he he he he he!

Good thing GENKI SUSHI is "here" during this sad time.

Tee hee!!!!!!

It was a quiet night n GENKI SUSHI!

TERRACE 45

It was a Friday and usually, we would go out with the little lords or meet up with some friends. But then the boys went out with my Mom, while we didn't make any definite plans with the peasants (tee hee) so it's just going to be me and the Chinese boy toy.

Insta-date night!!!!!!!

We didn't really know where to go but since traffic was so bad that night, we just decided to eat somewhere that's near my office. 

And after browsing over my friend's IG and facebook pages, we ended up in TERRACE 45!!!

8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS (GREENHILLS)

We are still continuing my 33rd (ahem) birthday celebrations and for one night, ERICJAZ FOODIES met up with my grade school friend Virginia.

Virginia, or Ginny as she preferred to be called but I don't follow, was my bestie during my elementary years, especially during Grade 6. We're both nerdish and shared the same taste in music, movies, etc. etc. and we could just chat the whole day. I actually attributed to her the pronunciation of my name. Before kasi, my family would pronounce my name as "jusMEN." But when Virginia became my friend and would call me at home, she looked for me by asking for "JAAAAAHZmin". Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! It made my family laugh and they teased me over it na "jusMEN ka lang huy!" but hearing my name handled in such a chic (and less kadiri way) made me love it na.

So JAAAAAAHZmin it is!!! Thanks Virginia! Ha ha ha ha!

We lost touch when we grew older (alam mo naman ang bata, kung sino classmate yun ang bestie) and we had different friends in High School. We met up each other again when lo and behold, our boys are studying in the same school! Yayyy!!!!!

With that, we would chat up from time to time, give gifts to each other via our sons, then share our food discoveries and favorite dishes. Finally during my birthday month, we met up to have a mini-getogether to celebrate! Other friends were supposed to join us but last minute nang-indyan (ha ha ha ha ha) so it was just the two of us. It's okay because we were able to catch up and talk the way we did during Grade School.

The great thing too is that we did it over plates of my favorite food.

Yay!!!!!

8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS!!!!

The Yub and I were happy to discover that 8 CUTS had a branch in Promenade, Greenhills. At least if I was craving for a burger after work, THIS is where we'll go.

MCDONALD'S HONG KONG (2017)

THE YAPPY BUNCH are in HONG KONG and like what we always do when we're in another country, we check out their local MCDONALD'S because we want to see how different it would be from Manila.

We already put a space for MCDONALD'S HONG KONG in our itinerary on our second or third day -- it was our aim to have our fill of delicious Chinese food after all. BUT, lucky us we ended up in a mall because our bus going to the hotel was stationed there. And, even if we have been going around and around the place, we can't find the type of Chinese food we enjoyed before.

After about an hour of going around, the boys saw the familiar golden arches of MCDONALD'S. Immediately they asked if we could have our lunch there because they were in the mood for some fries and chicken.

NGIKS! Ha ha ha ha ha!

Oh well. I never thought that our first official meal in HONG KONG would be in an American franchise but we gave in -- we were tired and we were planning to eat here anyway. Napaaga lang! Ha ha ha! And wow, we're so glad that we did because there was something so comforting biting into hot sandwiches and drinking cold soda after a long morning. Plus, we were able to find out how deliciously different MCDONALD'S HONG KONG was from Manila.

Yup! So even in HONG KONG, we would profess our love for MCDONALD'S. And like their ad declares, "Love namin to!"  

The place with the golden arches!

H.I.D BURGERS (CITY GOLF PLAZA, ORTIGAS)

There is a new burger joint in Ortigas when you're in the mood for something healthy and irresistibly delicious!

H.I.D. BURGERS!!!!

In fact, that's what it means!!!!

H.I.D Burgers originated from Cainta, Rizal, and now it has a total of 11 branches all over the Metro!

MUNCHTOWN (UPTOWN PLACE MALL)

I think this day was meant to be. Really.

For many days now I have been craving for a BIG HOTDOG that is loaded with toppings. Like REALLY loaded.

In fact, I even sent my best friend the text below because I was so craving for it.

Sorry. I could get a bit disgusting when it comes to food. He he he he he he he!

That's why when we received an invite to try out the hotdog greats of MUNCHTOWN in UPTOWN PLACE MALL, OH. I. AM. SO. THERE.

Ahem.... WE pala... WE... (Kailangan ko driver. Ha ha ha h aha!)

We were actually having a double feature with YUMI EXPRESS and have MUNCHTOWN hotdogs for "dessert" and yes, it was still fine with me. Because even if I know that I'll be bulging at the seams (after eating another favorite) I would still stuff my face with my deep longing for the week.

You did read my text message where the MALAKING HOTDOGS are in all caps right?

With that, I'm glad how whenever I'm at the Fort area and craving for big, juicy, hotdogs, I could head over to MUNCHTOWN to chomp on their big, thick, and juicy offerings. Because believe me, after finally taking in several bites of their MALAKING HOTDOGS, my weeklong craving has finally been cured!

And it's soooo good that yours will probably be too!

:)

 

MUNCHTOWN in UPTOWN PLACE MALL!!!

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS - THE COUNTRY CLUB

When I got word that my officemate, Tita Flory, will be treating us for an overnight staycation in TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS for my boithday AND for the wedding of her daughter, I knew that major research was in order.

Of course, I should check out the location, the resort facilities, the rooms, and the activities offered in TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS. But more importantly, I should also study AND investigate the places where  we could eat there.

He he he he he! OF COURSE! Food is ALWAYS of the essence to us!

At first I really thought that TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS was a resort with one cafe or restaurant by the poolside. In turns out, this popular "membership only" destination in TAGAYTAY was like an exclusive community where there are a LOT of places to eat in and many clubhouses!

Yowza! This is like a staycation jackpot!!!!!

So after surfing online, I tried my best to plot which places to go to when get there. But even after numerous hours, of studying, researching, and investing, there were a LOT of choices that I cannot make up my mind. With that, one question still remained for us when we finally got to TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS....

Where shall we eat???? 

 

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS COUNTRY CLUB!

VILLAGE TAVERN (AGAIN)

One Sunday, ERICJAZ FOODIES met up with BGP Marian and Manong Fred because my friend was deeply craving for one of her favorite salads!

And the venue for tonight: VILLAGE TAVERN!

VILLAGE TAVERN is brought to us by BISTRO GROUP and is a popular venue for night-outs in BGC.

OUR ANNIVERSARY DINNER AT LUSSO

It was our 12th Anniversary last April and if memory serves me right, there would not be fireworks nor outrageous surprises. Heck, it would even be a rarity if he remembers it at all!!!

But this year he did and thankfully it is without the help of younger selves  from 12 years ago to greet us!

The Chinese Adonis fetched me from the office and when I got in the car, he proudly (or rather cockily) handed me these bouquet of red roses! My favorite!

Yeyyyy!!! I hope this is a yearly thing!

Some may snort at flowers for special occasions dismissing it as wasteful. But for me it's my one vice. I could never get enough of it! I would always bury my face into a bunch of fresh flowers and take in its fragrant beauty. Even if it would dry up and wither soon flowers would always give me a loving and warm memory!!!!

CHUCK'S VACATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Charles aka Chuck (or if I could get away with it, Chuckie) is my nephew via my favorite cousins Kuya Nap and Ate Sheila from Las Vegas. Even if they live faraway, we still feel so close to him because I saw him from a cute wee chubby baby into a giant whom I have to do the tippy toes with to do "beso beso". 

Me and Chuckster (in black and with his brothers) in 1998!

Dear Chuckie, unlike his other brother, would seem to be the quiet type but as they say looks could be VERY deceiving. He may not be the Jim Carrey outrageous loudmouth but he could always make me guffaw with his dry humor and wit. It's always a fun time with Chuckie and I love that when he's onto you, it means he really likes you. Because even if he was named after that terror doll (yes my Kuya Nap is so cool), there is nothing fake or scary about it. What you ALWAYS get is a tall gentleman who quietly observes and would shoot out witty one liners and expressions. I'm glad that he grew up the way he is now. So proud to call him my nephew! My cousins did a very good job rearing him up!

I'll find a younger and more embarrassing picture of you Chuckie soon!

My nephew Chuckie (sorry I can't help it I know he hates that name) currently works in Korea as an English teacher and had a 2 week vacation coming up. He thought that instead of flying to Las Vegas (where he will return to in April) he could just go to Manila to spend time with us. At the prospect of seeing him again, we were all excited because we missed him last year when we were in Las Vegas. Mati saw him in his first trip in the US when he was very young but Andrei was intrigued because finally he's meeting the owner of the many SIMPSON'S dvd  and Xbox he abused.

As I was planning our itinerary, I asked Chuckie what he wanted to do for his short stay in the Philippines. To my surprise, he did not asked to be taken to beaches, tourist spots, or even malls! What he listed were foods that he wanted to try and he specified that the weirder the better. Nothing fancy shmancy -- he just wanted to have the things he cannot have in Korea or Las Vegas. Wow ! He turned out to be a different kind of foodie. Now THAT I didn't know!

That does it. I'm going to adopt this nephew of mine soon!

Upon Chuck's arrival in the Philippines, his first request was to have dinner at JOLLIBEE! Yep! JOLLIBEE! So the whole family (minus my eldest brother) got a long table for dinner at our country's number one fast food chain!

Mati was smitten with his Kuya Chuckie and didn't leave his side. They talked non-stop like there was no tomorrow!

Besides the chicken joy and jollihotdog, Chuckie had a plate of JOLLIBEE spaghetti! I remember one time when he was younger and he found his pasta dry. When I requested for extra sauce immediately for him, he was impressed. 

I remember him saying "Going the extra mile. That's nice."

He was 8 years old then. 

After dinner, we had coffee at SUGARHOUSE.

8 CUTS POWER PLANT MALL

One of ERICJAZ FOODIES' favorite burger hub these days is 8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS because it truly satisfies our cravings on different levels.

(Yes. Enough to make me refer to us in 3rd person point of view... Tee Hee!!!)

So it is no wonder that on our usual "Saturdate Night Date Nights" in Power Plant Mall, we would head to 8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS to get a bite of their fat and juicy patties with an assortment of toppings that get me drooling just by the thought of it.

Y'know (ala Manny Paquiao), I am the sort of person who would only eat ONE dish in a favorite restaurant. If a place grabs my fat fancy, I would always go there and order that one dish alone: think the Spare Rib Rice in LE CHING TEA HOUSE. But in 8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS, I find myself curious to try each one of their variants. Of course, my favorite remains to be the one with the Blue Cheese, but I believe you could never go wrong with a kick-a$$ burger patty, so I want to have a taste of what else 8 CUTS had to offer!!!!

Now expect to see a lot of ERICJAZ FOODIES, 8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS!!! You'll be so happy that you put up a branch in POWER PLANT MALL!!

HA!

Wait. I wonder if they'll agree to that.

:)

Photo grabbed from A MANILA FOOD AFFAIR

8 CUTS POWER PLANT MALL!

"MEAT OUR BLENDS"

Yup! We will happily do so after the Chinese Adonis lines up!

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!

PINK'S

I really hate the times when I could be so stupid.

Don't get me wrong, those "times" are really rare (ahem ahem) but yes it happens and when it does I want to kick my big behind for it.

Take the instance when we went to the US for Andrei's 7th birthday! When Yub and I were planning that we'll be going to Los Angeles to invade all of the theme parks there, I declared to him that by hook or by crook we will be eating at PINK'S. My obsession stems from my round the clock watching of the FOOD NETWORK. If you see some of their specials, they would always include the famed hotdog restaurant in their "best of something" countdowns. So after watching "Top 10" or "The Best Hotdog" show one after another, I was really excited and looked forward to get a taste of it. In fact, upon meeting my nieces in Los Angeles, I immediately said that "YES, we will be eating at PINK'S".

Even if my niece had promised to take us to PINK'S when we have an LA day, we got a chance to eat at the popular hotdog stand when we were in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS (SEE HERE).

So after years and years of obsessing over PINK'S hotdogs, what do I do while I was standing by the counter to give my orders?

I. Ordered. A. Burger.

Oh yes. I did. SO DUMB of me. I misread the menu and ordered a friggin burger.  I wanted to bonk my big forehead right then and there. I know that I should've just ordered one more but the sandwiches were too big even for us to finish so at that time, it felt impractical and wrong (see stupid again?).

It is really now that I am kicking and regretting everything that happened that day at PINK'S.

Haaay! Oh well. So there it is. Ha ha ha ha ha!

PINK'S!

IN N' OUT BURGER (US TRIP)

One of the usual "pit stops" for tourists going to the US is IN N' OUT Burgers. What is it about this place? Even if it was not a themed restaurant, a hotel buffet, or a Michelin starred bistro, almost everyone I know goes to the very simple eatery for some of their no frills burger and fries. Come to think of it, it's not just the tourists -- even the locals would swear by their loyalty to the fast food joint. To think that their menu is very limited compared to other US diners -- egad, they don't even have fried chicken! But go here we did (I am Yoda) because of that very reason -- we just wanted some effin good burgers. And I guess since IN N' OUT has been serving the same kind of burgers since 1948, a superkaduper number of their loyal loving diners will agree with me (for once).

So to IN N' OUT we will eat. There is no try. (He he he doing the Yoda voice again.)

IN N' OUT BURGER!

The place with the golden arrow! 

MUNCHTOWN

It may be "no more classes, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks" for the boys but Yub and I were also having a lot of fun during their summer vacation. Normally, we wouldn't go out during weekdays because we would stay at home and help the kids with their schoolwork. At the same time, we would like to get enough beauty rest since one of us take turns in waking up at 5:30am to get the boys ready for school. But ever since we tucked away their school bag and uniform out of sight for 2 months, Yub and I have been making the most of it and having date nights every single day! And on one particular night, we trooped over to MUNCHTOWN in Greenhills just because we felt like having burgers or dogs on a weekday and staying out late just because we wanted to.

Oh and by the way, Mati and Andrei were also having the time of their lives because no matter how hard we invite them, they said they need a "summer vacation" from us as well!

Why those little!!!

Kidding! Tee hee! 

MUNCHTOWN!!!

8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS

I am not really overly fond of Kris Aquino. In fact she is one of those celebrities who irritates me to the highest heavens with just the sound of her voice. Lately though, I have to admit, that she has taken the foodie scene by storm that when she features a certain restaurant, it would be jam packed with thousands, or even millions of people the next day. 

Yes I'm exaggerating but that is what it felt like when we were at the end of the line.

I'm talking about 8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS which recently opened in SM Megamall's Mega Fashion Hall. 

8 CUTS BURGER BLENDS!!!!

My very good friend, Mareng Gail invited me and the Chinese Monster.... este... Adonis to try out this restaurant which Kris Aquino described something as "the best burger ever". Mareng Gail and her hubby Jun arrived before us and they were surprised at the number of people still waiting in line even if it was somewhat late. 

Ngiii! And this was somewhat near closing time!