TGI FRIDAYS (AGAIN) WITH MY COLLEGE FRIENDS

Whenever my college friends and I getogether, it has become an unwritten rule that we should always plan a dinner at our favorite TGI FRIDAYS! Call it sentiment or what for the restaurant we always used to go to 20 years ago (yup that long) but another reason of course is that we cannot resist helping ourselves with some of their famous Chicken Fingers when we can!

The Crazy Girls at TGI FRIDAYS!!!!

PART ONE - DAKAK DREAM WEEKEND (2016)

I think I have made no secret how much I love EAT BULAGA. Nope. Not because I've been working there for about 8 years already. But more on I grew up watching the country's longest running noon time show and have been a fan of Tito, Vic, and Joey's antics as long as I can remember.

To think I'm working with them now? Yup! Like what Hugh Grant said, "It's surreal... But nice!"

If you're a true blue EAT BULAGA fan who stay tuned to watch even the commercials, you would also see neverending advertisements on DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT. Of course, at my age then, I was still not aware of the other premier summer destinations (like Boracay or Palawan). So when I saw the resort's pristine white sand, blue waters, classy room accommodations, and abundance of seafood, it became my childhood dream (or goal) to go there someday.

As I grew up, I forgot about DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT because like I said, there were other more popular places to go to. Besides that, when I had a family of my own, I was suddenly more focused on the convenience of hotel staycations.

Lo and behold, my officemates from TAPE Inc., suddenly planned on booking a vacation there at what we all thought was a holiday weekend. At first I was hesitant because I'm really not that comfortable leaving my boys behind (who, even at their naughtiest, I always miss terribly). But then, the premise of having an all expense paid staycation (excluding airfare) at my childhood dream destination was a little too hard to reject.

So after a puppy-face pleading with the Chinese Dimpol, I was good to go for TAPE Inc., DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT getaway!!! Yohooo! FINALLY! Even if it was a kiddie goal that was long forgotten, I suddenly felt all excited, hyped, and just sentimental at this wonderful blessing. I'm finally going!!!!

Too bad though that it was not with THE YAPPY BUNCH. But since it's all free, I'd go with the Kardashian-Wests if I had to!!! He he he he he!

Oh I'm kidding!

Of course, besides THE YAPPY BUNCH, I'm happy to be with the family other than MY family --- my officemates at TAPE Inc. And yes, to think that I was with people who I work with at MY favorite TV show, going to MY childhood fantasy getaway, is indeed something.

Yup! It is SO surreal but VERY nice.

So don't mind the excessive pics forcing me to make this into a 3-"parter". It was THAT fun and we didn't want to forget any minute of it!

And like what Kuya Jose and Wally said in their old DAKAK commercial "ANG SAYA SAYA DITO!!!!"  

DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT!!!!!

It was a stormy Friday that's why I was extra early going to Tita Josie's condo because the rest of the group will pick us up from there.

LARCY'S CUPCAKERY CAFE

The Chinese Adonis and I have gotten sooooo superbly lazy lately that it would take a LOT of forcing or bribing for us to get out of our "comfort date zone", aka Powerplant Mall. However, one Saturday night we traveled far and wide just to see some special ladies that caused a lot of guffaws, craziness, and over-all pandemonium in my life. My AC friends!

We met up with some of my College barkada in MEGA BUFFET RESTAURANT for dinner where we pigged out on fatty meats and Korean banchan. Now what to do for dessert? We cannot just end the night all greasy, all smelling like barbecue, AND without finishing up on the gossip (he he he he he). There SHOULD be somewhere else to go to. The night is far too young.

My friend suggested that we go to LARCY'S CUPCAKERY CAFE since it was making waves in the dessert scene of the South. ALSO, my friend added, it was recently featured in KRIS TV.

EW. As if THAT would make me go for it. Ha ha ha! Anway, even if I was sooooo irritated with Kris and wouldn't go near her high pitched recommendations, I went for LARCY'S because I trusted my College friends MORE.

PLUS, our gossip was much juicier and probably news worthy anyway. HA!

LARCY'S CUPCAKERY CAFE!

LARCY'S was bright and cheerful inside. It's as if a Hallmark card for Valentine's day exploded and splattered it's colors everywhere.

22 PRIME (DISCOVERY SUITES)

Sometime last month, we celebrated the birthday of our dear friend Mareng Chel with an all girl-please-dress-up dinner. Now usually, our BP Group would choose to celebrate special events with the whole family, but for Mareng Chel, that night was an exception.

You see, Mareng Chel is one of the most dedicated Mommies I know. She is a stay at home Mom who has prioritized her beautiful family over a high paying career as a Hollywood actress....

(Yes! Hollywood actress! Well we'll never know what could have been because she didn't work right?? He he he he he!) 

Would you believe that she home schools her eldest daughter and she breastfed her little guy till he was 2 years old? YU-UH! Plus, she loves to cook! I swear! I'm going to raid her house someday so that she could feed me all the grub she posts on FB. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Anyway like I said, Mareng Chel is one of the most dedicated Mommies I know and since she chose NOT to have a nanny to take care of her children, she doesn't get to have an all girl's night out since the kids were born. They always go out as a family and she personally feeds her little boy while us other girls are chatting our brains out. So for her birthday, she wished to have dinner with just US. Not really because she wanted to rant about married life or how she is tired from anything. But because she just wants to have dinner with friends where she could really pay attention to the meal and the gossip!

So with that, we had an all ladies dinner at 22 PRIME in DISCOVERY SUITES to celebrate the birthday of our beloved Mareng Chel.

And YUP! You guessed that right. A LOT of chatting AND pictures happened on that fun night!

22 PRIME!

22 PRIME is in the 22nd floor of DISCOVERY SUITES and is open from Mondays to Sundays. 

THE NUTCRACKER

Last Christmas, my sister read that it was going to be Ms. Lisa Macuja's last ballet performance in THE NUTCRACKER and thought it would be something that we should not miss. She told my Mom who agreed and called up her sisters to invite them to watch the show. When my sister told me of their plans I was really hesitant because lazy me thought that it was supposed to be my relaxing day Sunday. But then my sister pulled the usual blah blah of "When is this going to happen again... " speech that I joined their little "entourage" and dragged somebody with me.

No, not my husband. I love him and all but the ARTS is not in his "most favorite" list. Actually, you could use it to torture him or get valuable information. He he he he!

I meant my little Andrei! Initially I thought of having the 2 boys with me because I wanted to inject some culture in their veins. But like his Dad, Mati violently protested so I was left with a very willing Andrei whose sudden enthusiasm to watch it was so cute.

So it's now time for THE NUTCRACKER!

CAFE 1771

Most recently, I am so proud to have merged a lovely group of ladies whom I will now call PRETTY MOMMIES.

If you do not agree with our name, sorry! It's my blog and we'll even call ourselves the MISSUS UNIVERSE OF PRETTY PLANETS BANANAHAMOCKS if we want to :) Ha ha ha! Kidding!

You may know one of my favorite food mates Mareng Gail from Uncle Moes (See HERE!! ), Joey's Pepperoni (again,  HERE!!!), and, Rub (yup still HERE!!!). Also my College bud Mareng Ann in Sambokojin (See HERE!!!), Yabu (soon), and Starbucks (post coming soon).

I introduced them in Brasas (post coming soon) where we planned to dress up and eat someplace swanky like Restaurant Verbena (it's HERE!!!) to celebrate their new found friendship.

Coincidentally, I met Chel, Ann's close friend from way back and we really hit it off. We would also chat up in Cinnabon while waiting for our kids finish their lessons in Trumpets and Ann will join us. Chel and I instantly clicked because we share the same love for our family, views on how to raise our children, AND, taking lots of pictures! It was always a gabfest and "kodak" event whenever we meet up!

We decided that for Ann's early birthday celebration in CAFE 1771, we will have a girls-only dinner out and introduce Gail and Chel.  Ann and I knew that the two will just click and we will be forming once more new friendships. We wanted a special venue to hold that momentous event (well for us anyway) and CAFE 1771 was the place for us. 

And such a night it was! We had so much fun talking about anything and everything (HUSBANDS! Kidding) while eating all that glorious food. The servers at CAFE 1771 were warm, hospitable and were very "understanding" in taking our silly pictures (oh you'll see below).

We truly enjoyed our stay at CAFE 1771 that even if  our husbands were only with us (in spirit and in topic -- ha ha ha!) we felt we were with family, not just with girl power family, but with the delicious meal and smiling servers.

Don't pity our hubs too much... We gave them our leftovers and made it up to them when we all got home. Ha ha ha ha!

The CAFE 1771 meynuh...

The CAFE 1771 meynuh too!

The girls (minus Chel) were already at CAFE 1771 and are deciding what to order. There were a lot of choices that tempted our taste buds and it took us a while to decide...

Of course, meticulous me would ask about a certain dish first before CONSIDERING it to be our order for the night. The waiter at CAFE 1771 was very patient and knowledgeable with the food!

Good for him! Because... hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn... with food!!!

Kidding! :)

We were impressed with how they decorated CAFE 1771 as they certainly had the word "COZY" in mind. It is like you walked in the living room of Martha Stewart and she gallantly laid out chairs for us.  

Though we do not really have a problem with sharing and chatting up, CAFE 1771 just made us feel more at home to do so. 

And by golly we did!!!

Honestly, there was a couple who was at the next table and even though we tried our bestest not to be obnoxiously noisy for them, they requested to be transferred to the next room. 

THIS was the next room in CAFE 1771 by the entrance...

Sorry disturbed couple!

We particularly ogled at this book shelf because it was laden with interesting books and what have yous. While waiting for our orders and taking a break from our gabbing, we spent a significant time looking at this.

Some of the books and decors were not glued to to the shelves and the servers at CAFE 1771, let us play with them... You'll see later :)

See Yub! You were not forgotten at CAFE 1771!!! See you later when you pick me up... he he he!

While waiting for our orders at CAFE 1771, the kindly servers gave us a free popcorn appetizer. It was just a simple pick me up but could be very addicting. In no time, the mini basket was empty!

... so CAFE 1771 instantly gave us a refill! Yey! Thanks!

Wohoo! Mareng Chel is here and this is her first meeting with Mareng Gail! Such an earth shattering event! (Ha ha ha! Well at least for us, since we have scheduled to introduce these girls about 2 times before and it did not push through!)

With the arrival of Mareng Chel, CAFE 1771 also served their glorious dishes one by one.... 

First up is CAFE 1771's Caesar's Salad (P290.00). This type of greens has always been my default favorite and it is the most safest to order in a restaurant. If CAFE 1771 gets this basic dish right then we know that we are in for a treat later on.

And based on Mareng Ann's facial expression here, CAFE 1771 you got yourselves a winner!!!

I especially loved how the CAFE 1771 salad was served chilled with a creamy anchovy dressing. It perfectly complemented the other goodies we ordered :)

For our main dish, we had CAFE 1771's Organic Chicken with Potato Crust (P560.00).

This was SO good at first bite but as we continued eating the juicy bird, we found it a bit salty (considering I love soy and fish sauce on everything). 

Maybe it would be perfect if we had rice with it or requested the servers to put a notch down on the salt level. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed this CAFE 1771 roast chicken and it was perfect for a group of 4!!

We ordered something for that would be great leftovers for our hubs (ha ha!) so we had the CAFE 1771 Salbacho Pizza (P450.00) which had wonderful meats of chorizo, salami, and bacon! 

Crust was crunchy while they had the right amount of cheese in the pizza. We kept on munching at this CAFE 1771 order and just exerted a lot of effort to control ourselves so we will be able to take home something for the boys.

I wished there were more basil leaves though... I like the extra bite of freshness with it!

Since it was Mareng Ann's birthday, we ordered CAFE 1771 Pasta Chorizo (P420.00) for her long life.

This was the perfect accompaniment to our other orders because, save for the chorizo, the CAFE 1771 pasta was light and very flavorful. I loved the extra crunch that the chopped croutons gave. The serving was just right for us 4 ladies who were TRYING to diet.

Take note of the all caps in the word TRYING.

Let's EAT!

Happy Birthday Mareng Ann! We love you!!!

Take note of the camera and iphones on the table... Mine was hidden behind the water goblet while Ann held on to hers. That's your clue as to how many pictures we took for the night.  

Our food at CAFE 1771!

ATTACK!!!!

Me and Mareng Chel!!! Between chewing and gulping down the glorious food, we exchanged funny stories about our kids.

Come to think of it, everyone did!!! We shared what was indeed special for us... Our family and children!

My plate!!! My wonderful plate!!!!

The CAFE 1771 chicken may be a tad salty but look how juicy and perfectly roasted it was. 

Maybe we should have ordered some garlic rice. But like I said, we were TRYING to diet.

Boo!

I guess I loved the garlic bread siding of CAFE 1771's pasta that's why I took a picture of it. I think I used the crunchy and chewy bread to  mop up the extra dressing from the Caesar's salad! YUM!

AND while eating, there will CERTAINLY be a lot of gabbin!!!!

Since we were celebrating Mareng Ann's birthday, Mareng Gail requested if CAFE 1771 could come up with something for the celebrant. And they kindly did!!!

Ain't it pretty? Tasted delicious too!

Here's to more beautiful birthdays, starbucks chika sessions, and fambam meet ups with you!!!

========== 

And now, I have to apologize for sharing this and for probably causing the probability of you blocking my blog on the net, but I just wanted to show how we were having such a great time and CAFE 1771 was very cool with it. Heck, the same servers were the ones who took our pictures!!!

I call this the "4 Shades of a Woman's Cycle"! Ha ha ha ha!

This one may be La Familia Le Femme!

OR we could have these captions...

Chel -- Looking out into the vast future of opportunities...

Gail -- Wondering which direction in life willnbe appropriate for a family lady like her...

Ann -- Checking if she has load...

Me -- Why did I have to be obsessed with Justin Bieber????

We only left CAFE 1771 because we were there way past their closing time but we felt that we had some more topics to talk about so we had coffee and more fun at Podium!

We had such a great night and I'm sure you agree with me that it truly shows! Not only did CAFE 1771 had such delicious food, but they were very kind in going along with our over all "silliness". Thanks CAFE 1771!!! Kudos to your service for  gamely accommodating this group of crazy gals!!!!!

We can't wait to see each other again!  

LET'S EAT!!!

Cafe 1771

El Pueblo

El Pueblo Real de Manila, Dona Julia Vargas Ave

Ugong, Pasig

(02) 631-7340