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!!!!

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!

OF CHARITY AND SAVORY RESTAURANT

One of the things I love about my son's school is how they value simplicity and service to others. Grades and prestige may be important, but it's not the ultimate priority and end-goal in raising their students.

That's why I was happy when his class had a retreat with some "kuyas" who were studying and boarding in their special housing. Mati stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights and bonded with his partner who was also working as a computer technician during the day.

My big guy said he learned a great deal about money and appreciated the blessings. He felt bad how he would oftentimes take these "gifts" for granted when other people were such in need. He was so grateful for the experience because he was able to see a different side of life with the help of his "Kuya."

The Yub, Andrei, and I fetched him and was able to hear Mati's testimonial. We also met his "Kuya" and had a nice chat with him. We were supposed to eat there but decided to just go out so that the guys from the charity house could enjoy all the donated potluck foods for themselves. We were hungry though so we just decided to eat in the first restaurant we'll see on the road.

With that, we saw SAVORY!!!

SAVORY RESTAURANT!!!

GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT (2019)

The Yub and I have been long familiar with GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT way before pa because they catered our wedding (meh) when they was just starting up. From what I remember, the food was okay and it was more on the casual side. During that time their menu was limited and I had no choice but to pick from what was offered because it was requested by the future in-laws (they're friends with the owner and prices were very reasonable).

Fast forward to the present and GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT now have MANY branches across the metro and in the provinces. You could never fail with their extensive menu of Filipino specialties that are very affordable. That's why click na click!!!!

We have dined many times already at GILIGAN's but the last time we did so as a family left such a bad taste in our kiddies' mouth because well, maybe the branch was having a syesta. The Yub and I also had another experience in it on one date night that we said it would be a loooooooooooooooong time before we go back there.

But "back there" we always did. Maybe because of sentimental reasons. Good thing that in our latest meals there, service and their food improved that we would now become happy regular customers.

Syempre, when you're always eating out it's a steal to find restaurants that service delicious yet cheap food!
 

GILIGANS!

POPEYE'S PHILIPPINES

The Yub and I have long wanted to try out POPEYE'S since it opened because we're curious how it would fare up against our other chicken favorites. I remember having it many years before in Robinson's Galleria but wanted to taste first-hand if the quality and taste are different now.

Of course, we cannot just try POPEYE's without the 2 asungots. So from the comforts of their Youtube and FB chats (grrrr) we yanked Mati and Andrei to go with us out for a family dinner.

And it was another fun night for THE YAPPY BUNCH where not only we ate enjoyable food but we also saw how helpful our little guys are when needed.

The Yub and I are really thankful for these kind of family nights (yep... even if it's in the very busy restaurant of POPEYE'S). 

WOHOOO!

PANCAKE HOUSE (ROBINSON'S GALLERIA)

Even if I promise so many times that I will buy the boys' school supplies a month before school starts, I often fail. It's just procrastination at its best!

That's what happened for schoolyear 2019-2020. It was the last week of July and AAAAAACK... we haven't bought anything for the boys!!!! So one Saturday, by hook or by crook we decided to head on to Robinson's Galleria to buy what the boys needed for school (uniforms, sandos, socks, brips... he he he etc). And after a full day of shopping, I was ravenous.

HELLOOOOOO! NAGIMBALA NA NGA HIGA KO SA KAMA E GUGUTUMIN PA AKO, AY SUS!!!

Tee heee!!!

The Yub and I decided to go for PANCAKE HOUSE since it's been a long time that we've been there last. Though I always get to eat PANCAKE HOUSE goodies (from our office meetings) syempre, it's still different to eat at the actual restaurant.

So even if Master Mati was asking for Ramen Nagi (neknek mo, I'm the boss of you now) we went to PANCAKE HOUSE for some good ol' comfort food.

Yay! And all was well again. 

PANCAKE HOUSE!!!!!

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!

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!!!

OF BIRTHDAYS AND FLOSSOM

FLOSSOM KITCHEN + CAFE is fast becoming one of my favorite go to places in San Juan when I want to treat somebody and impress them at the same time.

The great thing about FLOSSOM is that the food doesn't just taste good, the place looks so good as well that it's perfect for picture loving friends/family. He he he he he!

Check out our recent dinner in FLOSSOM where I gave dear best bud Aning a super belated birthday treat!

As expected, EVERYTHING was not only "good," -- it was GREAT!

:) 

The Fabulous Fridays Freaks are in FLOSSOM!!

(Yep! That's what we used to call ourselves during College).

OF JOHN WICK 3 AND UMA UMA RAMEN

It was a very busy Saturday for us but even though our schedule was jampacked, we still have the eye on the prize.

Yup! We have a date with JOHN WICK!!!!

We have been following the series of this loner ex-assassin ever since his Baddie Buddies came out (Robert Mccall "The Equalizer, Jack Reacher, Bryan Mills "Taken", Frank Castle "The Punisher", etc). Though I personally feel that the others could take him, I would still go for John Wick more because, well, I love Keanu Reeves!

I'm happy too that Master Mati is also obsessed with JOHN WICK because movie nights are more enjoyable with him.

So for that night, we turned down invites from friends, we three have a date with JOHN WICK!

And it's surely going to be a WOOOAHHH night!!!!

We'll be watching JOHN WICK later and it's just fitting that before that epic movie, we'll be attending Master Mati's KALI practice.

COCO ICHIBANYA AGAIN (2019)

You know us, whenever we enjoy a certain restaurant, it is most likely that we'll go back there again and again. Take the case of COCO ICHIBANYA in Estancia Mall. THE YAPPY BUNCH ate there the week before after Master Mati's Kali lessons, then the following week, we are back ONCE AGAIN because how the baby bunsoy pleaded!!!

Oh wells... It's a good thing that Master Mati was hungry after his KALI lessons that he was fine to eat at ANYTHING (though he's grumbling a bit that "pinagbigyan na naman namin si Andrei).

As for us, yep, we're still SO fine to have dinner once more in COCO ICHIBANYA because we're hungry too (hirap kaya mag-antay!!). He he he he he he!

And as always, it was an enjoyable dinner and family time for all of us!

COCO ICHIBANYA!!!!

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

RAMEN NAGI GALLERIA AGAIN (2019)

As part of our wedding anniversary celebrations, we thought of having a special day with the little lords and have them join our fun. After all, our Anniversary also signified the official start of our family that's why the boys should always be included in the "party".

For today we went to Robinson's Galleria and had another shopping day (aka use up the GCs that I won in our last Christmas Party... he he he he) where the boys and I got a LOT of Avengers shirts (ENDGAME! WOHOO!). After shopping up a storm, I asked the little lords where they wanted to go for lunch and their cravings were unanimous: they liked bowls of piping hot rich soup with chewy noodles. With that, I know what they were going to say next:

RAMEN NAGI.

Dang! I was planning on not having carbs today!!!

Oh well! I really wanted to make the little lords happy during our anniversary. So yes, RAMEN NAGI it is. Guess I'll be having extra inches again (probably the amount as our anniversary years... he he he he).

That's okay. It's our Anniversary anyways. Time to party hardy....with RAMEN!! He he he he he!

WOHOOO!!!

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!!!!!!!!

NONNA'S PASTA AND PIZZERIA (ROBINSON'S GALLERIA)

Remember the time when I won loads of Robinson's GCs in our EAT BULAGA Christmas party?

Well I haven't used a peso from it because I don't really go to Robinson's malls that much.

One night however, enough was enough. I told the Yub that we have been putting off buying him "brips" because we wanted to save money by using the GCs. So we braved the Saturday traffic in Ortigas to go to Robinson's Galleria and shop our brains out.

You should have seen us in the department store -- gone were the faces that would mentally calculate the total and subtract it from our budget, we got everything we wanted.

If Andrei liked this black polo, put it in the basket.
If the Mati asked for socks, put it in the basket.
Remembering that we needed new pans, put it in the basket.
There's 50% off in granny knickers, put it the basket.
There's extra extra small brips for the Yub, PUT IT IN THE BASKET.

Whatever my guys fancied, they could get. The sky was their frikkin limit (below P24,000 of course). 

He he he he he he he he!!!!

All that shopping made us all hungry. With that, we marched over to the restaurant that we've been wanting to try in Robinson's -- NONNA'S PASTA AND PIZZERIA.

I have actually been to NONNA'S before when I gave the Yub a surprise birthday party for his 40th birthday. We all loved the food and promised to return but their Nuvali branch was just so far from where we lived.

Good thing that NONNA'S opened in Robinson's Galleria because the Yub and I wanted the boys to try it out. You know us, when we had an enjoyable experience, we'd immediately share it with our boys.

Come to think of it, our dinner at NONNA'S motivated me more to go to Robinsons than the GCs because that was the night when I was craving for some pasta! He he he he he he!!!!

Oh well. Everybody happy. It's great too that we had a lot of GCs left so that means we have another excuse to go to Robinsons Galleria..... and NONNA'S!

NONNA'S PASTA AND PIZZERIA!!!!!!!

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!!!!!

GILIGAN'S RESTAURANT (RESORT'S WORLD MANILA)

We had a late check-out in our recent staycation in SAVOY HOTEL, and since it was about past 2:00pm, my family was already finished having our usual Sunday lunch. We could still go home and eat there of course, but we didn't want to bother anyone because most probably they're having their afternoon siestas (my usual habit too at the last day of the week!).

So where to go for our late family Sunday lunch? We strolled around and saw GILIGAN'S at the next building.   Even if we just had Filipino food the night before, seeing the green signage of GILIGAN'S got me drooling because I remembered how much the Yub and I enjoyed their food years ago in their Robinson's Galleria branch.

And now we got our venue for our Sunday family lunch. Let's hope that they serve the same hot and delicious food here just like what we experienced in their Robinson's Galleria branch. Because if they do, then that means even our little lords would be happy with their food!

YAY!

Were at GILIGAN'S!!! 

This was just a short walk from SAVOY HOTEL but kinda far from Maxim and Belmont. 

WING ZONE (ARANETA CENTER)

As much as I'm a drumstick-and-thighs kind of girl, I would never pass up the opportunity to relish a plate of crunchy and juicy Chicken Wings. The great thing about these bite-sized babies is that you get an appetizing  skin-to-meat ratio that every mouthful is perfection.

Add to that a plateful of steaming hot rice, OMG!!!!!

Yes, Chicken Wings may usually be considered as appetizers because of the size and the handiness of eating it (instant grips!) but for us Pinoys it is already a (ful)filling entree to our table.

That's why when the Yub and I recently visited WING ZONE in its new branch in Araneta Center, we happily and hungrily discovered that they don't have just the usual flavors made popular by the Westside. Besides the usual Buffalo or Honey Barbecue, WING ZONE tosses its newly fried wings in flavors such as Thai Chili, Sweet Samurai, Adobo, Sisig, etc -- so many choices right?

And yes, like you, I also immediately started craving for rice. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Check out our Friday dinner with other foodies in WING ZONE. I'm sure, you'll also start craving for some wings and more!!!

With extra rice... He he he he he he!

WING ZONE !!!!!

It was a busy night in WING ZONE that Friday.

MANAM GREENHILLS

As much as I love my ugly friends (who obviously don't read my blog), there is a different kind of fun hanging out with the foodies from The Kain Tulog Gang. Besides being gorgeous (like me... bwa ha ha ha ha....), they know the great places to eat in, have a full appetite (bawal diet), plus it is already understood how we'll take pictures of our grub before eating (even if it's not a sponsored meal).

These days I don't get to see them as much as I want to because I always get out of work late and I usually have plans with my family on weekends. Good thing that one time our schedules aligned and I was able to join some of the lovely ladies of THE KTG for an early lunch. The venue for that Saturdate was in MANAM -- a popular Filipino restaurant which I haven't tried yet, that's why I'm extra excited.

We obviously had a great time that Saturday. Well that's bound to happen because you could never go wrong with gorgeous people who love good food. He he he!

For those who don't agree, there's a special place in hell for you.

:P

We're in MANAM!!!!!!

Even if we frequent Greenhills shopping mall, it's our first time to go to MANAM since it was fairly new in the area. 

And since we were really unfamiliar with the new establishment, we even went to the wrong parking area. TOINK!

BAMBOO CAFE DINNER - ANVAYA RESORT

It was a whole day swimming for THE YAPPY BUNCH in our first day in ANVAYA COVE. So because we worked our cutie butts off in the water from morning till night, we certainly worked up an appetite come dinner time!

OH WE SO HUNGRY!

Great thing that we filled ourselves right up in BAMBOO CAFE!!!!