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!

ALTA BY RELIK AGAIN AND AGAIN

My Ate Jojit recently celebrated her 65th birthday (bwa ha ha ha ha!) and she asked where she could treat the family. My Mommy remembered how much she enjoyed our MOTHER'S DAY LUNCH and recommended ALTA BY RELIK to my senile ate (tee hee). Now that was SO fine with THE YAPPY BUNCH because we always have a delicious meal in ALTA BY RELIK everytime!

The great thing too is that my family and the VERY OLD birthday celebrant loved the food! So YAY!!!

PS. Ate Jojit, THIS is for not reading my silly little blog. Ha ha ha!

:P

We're in ALTA BY RELIK!

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.

A CELEBRATION IN CIBO

Our dear friend Gem celebrated her birthday so mareng Gail and I thought of treating her and the family to her restaurant of choice. And because we're considering not just the enjoyment of the seniors (he he he he) but of the kiddies as well (we have more fun when it's a family gimmick), her choice that night was in CIBO, POWERPLANT MALL!

Wohoo! We're all in CIBO!

POULTRY STACK

Chicken lovers rejoice!! There's a new hub where you could converge and splurge to celebrate your favorite bird!

POULTRY STACK!!!!

POULTRY STACK is the new restaurant in Tomas Morato that doesn't look anything like your favorite chicken place!

GRINGO (SM MEGAMALL)

Sometime last year, I got a taste of GRINGO'S juicy barbecued Chicken and Ribs when we were sent boxes of their hot meat and sides. THE YAPPY BUNCH loved the food and found ourselves licking the bones and chops after wolfing it all down in seconds. Since then, we have craved for GRINGO but we were not able to drop by the actual restaurant because it was too far from where we lived.

Luckily, GRINGO recently opened in SM Megamall and it was so timely for us because we were having Mati's birthday staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL. I asked my dear son where he wanted to eat that Saturday night and upon learning that GRINGO was already open there, he heaved a long sigh and said "FINALLY!!!!"

So it's no question where we'll be having our weekend dinner for my dearest's birthday staycation. Possibly the foodie gods arranged it because they knew how much we wanted to eat again at GRINGO but were too lazy to make the trek. And to think that it is something that my birthday boy really, really, as in REALLLY, want to eat in!!!!!

See? Everything was meant to be!   

GRINGO!!!!!

Chicken, Ribs, FRIENDS!!!

Like I said, the restaurant was still in their soft opening so I was not expecting everything to be smooth sailing. The food anyway is the one that's important!

The restaurant was packed but nobody was waiting in line. Me guess is that the staff is doing a fine job at efficiently serving and seating the guests!

ANDREI'S BIRTHDAY DINNER PARTY (2016)

It's Andrei's 10th birthday and to make it more special, I thought of having a mini-dinner party for him with our close friends!

The Chinese Dimpol and I weren't really planning on giving him a party. But for many weeks, he has been bugging us for a sleepover for his birthday weekend. In addition to that, he requested for me to cook this and that and this again.

With that I thought, why not invite our friends over and treat them to Andrei's birthday food? He's also best friends with the kiddies anyways!

CAFE MARY GRACE (UPTOWN PLACE MALL)

Little Baby Izh, as I would always call her, was in Manila for a vacation recently, and was FINALLY able to squeeze us in for a meet-up. She's a flight attendant who lives in California and has always been my favorite little niece/brat (via my fatherside cousin).

MAMA LOU'S (UP TOWN CENTER)

It doesn't take SO MUCH to make me happy....

The arrival of my monthly YUMMY MAGAZINE makes me happy.

Receiving a nice comment on the blog makes me happy.

Being able to download a movie with the correct subtitles makes me happy.

Syesta time makes me happy.

Successfully inserting my USB at the first try makes me happy.

Watching Dr. Sandra Lee videos makes me happy (tee hee).

And I haven't included my family there. Otherwise this list won't EVER stop. He he he he he he!

So if simple trivial things already make me happy, imagine the joy and excitement we felt upon discovering that there is already a MAMA LOU'S branch in UP TOWN CENTER???

OH.... MY.... GAWD with matching hyperventilating!

Puhleez don't make a face right now and scoff at my excitement, you judgmental little person you. He he he he he!

If you have already tried the delicious food at MAMA LOU'S from their faraway branches of Laguna or Las Pinas, you would understand why were doing the cartwheels and the dance of joy right now. FINALLY. They opened a branch on the other side of the Metro and we are now closer to where we had our taste of uber delicious pasta, pizza, and much, much more.

Now if that isn't great news to simpleton foodies like us, I don't know what is.

Maybe a confirmation that you'll be treating us to MAMA LOUS for a month? He he he he he he! Well you can't really blame a hungry girl for trying!

:P

MAMA LOU'S UP TOWN CENTER!!!

MAMA LOU'S recently opened it's doors at this 3rd branch in UP TOWN CENTER. Although it is still far from where I live, it is so near my office. So yey! The Chinese Dimpol and I could have dinner here when he fetches me on a Friday.

KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS (MY BIRTHDAY 2016)

Usually when it's my birthday, I would bask in the love of family and friends who would treat me out for a rockin' good time. But since I just turned 31 (tee hee!!!!) I decided that I would share my blessings to the people who really matter to me and THE YAPPY BUNCH. And with that, it was no question that I would celebrate my beloved birthday with my BB (Best Bud) Anne Virrey who I was friends with since our tusok tusok the fishballs days!

One time I chatted with her pogi husband Jonahs and told him that I'll be treating them one weekend. I asked if they would like to have a couple's date in TGIFRIDAYS (our favorite when we were still in college) OR a meet-up with the kiddies at our other go-to place, KENNY ROGERS.

As expected, the Virreys chose to have a meet-up with the kiddies since the boys were all raring to play with each other. So yey! I love how even our kiddies are turning our to be BBs as well!!!

Another reason why I'm so thankful to be friends with the Virreys after all these crazy years. Looking forward to a million more years to come!

Woohooo!!!!

KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS!!!

A YAPPY BUNCH CHRISTMAS (2015)

Like they say, it's the most wonderful time of the year and yes I strongly agree to that. Because even if we do the same thing every single time (parties, shopping, eating, gift giving, blah blah blah) I find that CHRISTMAS present would ALWAYS top the CHRISTMAS past. No matter how much we got stuck in traffic or how we made mad dashes for last minute shopping, the latest CHRISTMAS would still by far be the best. You would never hear "Aaaah Christmas two years ago was more fun" because you will always be so consumed by the happiness and joy you're feeling right now!

Take this year for instance: Egad, I made getogethers and family dates my priorities every available night that the next thing I know, it was already CHRISTMAS EVE! Yup! That's cramming at its finest! Aaaaaak!! I was so tense at rushing everything I needed to buy that I failed to stop and take in all the twinkly beauty of season. Oh boo effin hoo.

In the end when all was given and done, I gave out a long sigh and a huge thanks at how everything was still oh so lovely this CHRISTMAS.

Yup!

We were still so thankful for the experience!
We're so thankful for my weird family!
We're thankful for the overflowing food and overdone beef!
We're just so thankful for EVERYTHING.

It is STILL our BEST CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION yet!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

It was already the day before CHRISTMAS (December 24, 2015) and we still had A LOT to do. For one, "Santa" doesn't have gifts yet for the little lords, while me and the Chinese Adonis still had many things to buy. With that, we went to Powerplant Mall to do our last minute shopping.

Yup! We went there using Andrei's new black Porsche! 

:P

71 GRAMERCY WITH MATI AND ANDREI

When you hear of the place 71 GRAMERCY the first thought that would enter your beautiful minds would be rave parties, free-flowing cocktails,  socialites in high heels, or beautiful people all going "YEAAAAAAAH!"

I bet you would never even think of bringing your kids here right?

Well you are wrong!

Like, Glenn and Jon Snow are dead, WRONG.

71 GRAMERCY actually has an extensive menu of delicious dishes created by celebrity chef Carlos Miguel. Though the selection may be a bit pricey, the taste is over-all awesome and still very kid friendly! Your children will definitely love it!

Besides, I'm sure you wouldn't like anything less for the little loves of your lives. You may not bring them to 71 GRAMERCY every family Sundate but I truly recommend giving them the fine dining experience (even just once) and having them act all "grown-uppy."

And in 71 GRAMERCY, you will not just giving them an unforgettable gastronomic time, you will also be taking them to a family meal that's like on top of the world!

THE YAPPY BUNCH is in GRAMERCY 71!!!!

BP GROUP GAME NIGHT!!!

When my BP Group went to the house to celebrate my Dad's birthday, we had so much fun playing TABOO that I decided to organize a game night for us. Of course, we want to have complete attendance because it will be more fun when everybody is there contributing personal quirkiness. Bawal ang absent, or else, paguusapan! Har de har har!

Finally after much deliberation, we all agreed on a definite date, venue, and assignments on the food. We ended up in the top floor of Mareng Gail's building because it was spacious, cool, and available for her purrrrty friends (us!)

As expected, it was another night to remember with long chikas, hysterical laughter, and never ending things to do with great friends. It never fails! Nights with the BP Group are always bitin and never enough! Hopefully we could set up another getogether very soon amidst our busy schedules so that we'll be complete again.

Oh well! I believe that if we really want something, we will make time for it NO MATTER how busy we are. So I guess if it's the BP Group, we'll always be there for each other to volt in!

And that is what we all felt that night.

Let the games begin!

BP GAME NIGHT!

Venue for our game night was at the top floor of Mareng Gail's building. 

This used to be empty but ever since Mareng Gail's lola passed, they transferred some of her old furniture here to preserve it. Now it looks like a mini-museum of vintage items. 

You'll see what I mean!

FLYING CEBU PACIFIC (JAPAN 2015)

THE YAPPY BUNCH invaded Japan last April and to fly us towards our destination, we chose to go for the practical packages of CEBU PACIFIC! Of course, there may be many airlines available who would do the same job (with much more comfort if I may add) but we were saving our bucks in order to indulge more in Japan so it was the obvious choice for us.

To be honest, we're not really snooty in the choice of airline that would take us to our country of choice as long as:

-- the air-conditioning is good.
-- the flight attendants are hot.
-- the food is edible.
-- the flight attendants are hot.
-- they get our luggage in time.
-- the flight attendants are hot.
-- they fly us to our destination safely.
-- the flight attendants are hot.

TEE HEE!

Truth be told since THE YAPPY BUNCH are always trained to see the positive side of things, we are always quite happy with the airline's service even if there are a lot of negative reviews on CEBU PACIFIC.

Of course, we always thank God and our guardian angels for all of our safe flights when we have an out of the country trip. We're just also thankful that with CEBU PACIFIC, we are able to take flights in comfort and at a very family-friendly price!!

OH. And their flight attendants are hot too! BWA HA HA HA HA!

ERICJAZ FOODIES flies with CEBU PACIFIC!!!

THE CHINESE ADONIS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS (MARCH 2015)

It's the Chinese Adonis' 38th birthday and if you have been a follower of our silly little foodie blog, you would see that we usually have a week long celebration of it!

(If you're confused, yes, the Chinese Adonis is older than me by 8 years. I am after all, ahem, 30 years old! Tee hee!)

To tell you more about the Chinese Adonis, he is a very simple man who would rather laugh quietly at the sidelines. No need for flashy over the top celebrations for him. As long as we eat at his favorite restaurants and his family is happy, then he is happy. He is ALWAYS contented for some weird reason.

For the Chinese Adonis' birthday week however, it fell during the last quarter examination period of the little lords. I asked him if he wanted to still go out and celebrate his birthday after Mati and Andrei have finished studying. My ever devoted husband answered that he would rather stay home and help his sons study for the exams (since I always get home late).

With that I realized, the Chinese Adonis may be the one celebrating his birthday this week but it is the little lords and I who are constantly being gifted by his love and dedication as a husband and father (naks!).

(Belated) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the dearest Chinese Adonis, Yub, Daddy, and Mark Anthony! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! 

"I'm simple, lovable, and PAPA-ble!"

The birthday celebrant (last March)!!!!

RESTAURANT VERBENA (MY 2015 BIRTHDAY)

One of my 40th birthday celebrations was a weekend in Tagaytay City with my BP Group, a special set of friends whom I already consider as "family". And since it was my birthday, I get to choose where to have dinner that night (HA!!! Such power!!!).

I thought of going for RESTAURANT VERBENA of COUNTRY SUITES DISCOVERY TAGAYTAY since we enjoyed our evening there the last time.  Of course, besides the restaurant, I also requested everyone to dress up to make the night extra special. Don't worry. Dressing up is something my BP Group is fond of doing so that we'll look good in pictures (our first love. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

Now even if my friend Jonahs has already resigned as Country Suite's Resident Manager, his former staff still raved at his "visit" and really made sure that we will be fussed over during my birthday dinner. And WOW! We were spoiled the Country Suites way and our tummies were so happy from all the delicious food! Add to that, our non-stop chatter AND pictures all throughout the night!

What an awesome pre-birthday dinner! I wish I could turn 40 everyday! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

RESTAURANT VERBENA!

Yup! The award winning and must-visit restaurant in Tagaytay City!

Country Suite by Discovery is a quaint and cozy hotel that has less than 10 rooms to ensure peace, quiet, and privacy. 

KENNY ROGER'S ROASTERS (MATI'S BIRTHDAY)

For Mati's 2 week birthday celebration last January, I asked him to make a list of where he wanted to go and he generously included one of THE YAPPY BUNCH's favorites --- KENNY ROGER'S ROASTERS!   We always go there when we are in the mood for some American comfort food at a very affordable price!!!

Since my Dad zoinked the bill in HEALTHY SHABU SHABU during Mati's birthday dinner (or I chose not to pay attention when the waiter handed it to us...he he he he he!), I invited the family to treat them for this impromptu celebration. And as expected, we had a delicious Roast Chicken dinner with the price that I almost threw a chair for --- it was so cheap!

Of course, cheap or not, what's important for the night was that we were able to make our birthday boy happy and full. And I'm glad that with KENNY ROGER'S ROASTERS in Power Plant Mall, the whole family was VERY happy and full too!

KENNY ROGER'S ROASTERS!

KENNY ROGERS in POWER PLANT MALL normally gets very jam-packed on weekends. It's a good thing that for that Saturday night, they were able to take my reservations for a group of 10!

CRAVINGS (AGAIN)

Last December, on the day before Christmas in fact, the Chinese Adonis, Andrei, and I were in Edsa Shangrila Plaza to do some last minute shopping. Yep! You may judge me. With regards to shopping for gifts, I'm the chief procrastinator and I don't deny it. With that, I'm thankful that I have a very patient Chinese Adonis willing to accompany me scurrying around the mall and carrying the shopping bags. As for Andrei, he was so naughty at home that his "punishment" was to scurry along with us and carry the other shopping bags which he hated to do. He he he he he!

For lunch we dropped by CRAVINGS because I remembered how much I loved their soup and salad bar. Of course, it never hurt that their prices were so reasonable that it would be give us more means to shop! Other than that, I needed the extra energy to do my "rush-minute" shopping. So I guess I am "required" to have my fill with their healthy soup and salad bar. He he he he he!

I told you. I make reasons just to eat more!

CRAVINGS!

Ms. Josie (my officemate) is that you? He he he he!

OUR YAPPY NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FOR 2015!

And once again just when you thought I was done with my holiday entries, HELLO! My last one sprouts up! Because like I said, I became lazy as a daisy (and big as a beluga whale) during the Christmas season that I didn't get anything done.

Would you believe I just packed my gifts in used paper bags? Yu-uh. Like I said. Lazy. 

Oh and cheap. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Anywho, to somehow "let go" of the holidays of 2014, I am now sharing what we did this New Year's vacation in Quezon Province. As much as I want to skip ahead and just feature the latest in my life (like my recent staycation with Benedict Cumberbatch), I want to put on record the fun that THE YAPPY BUNCH had in saying hello to 2015.

And no cutesy poo brit could stop me from doing that. Weh he he he he!

Now moving on, let me just share that ever since the Chinese Adonis and I got hitched, we have been spending our New Year's with his side of the family in Quezon Province. Since I know a LOT of people about to get married (you know who YOU are, that is, if you read my blog), a workable arrangement in sharing the love every holiday season is to spend Christmas with this family and New Year's with this family. It may be quite unsettling at first and you may shed some tears when you miss your loved ones at the strike of 12, but don't worry. You will be building new memories with your newest "team" that you will immediately start counting your blessings instead of getting all broken up with sentiment.

So that's what we did! We may have our usual New Year Traditions with my family but the prospect of creating new special moments with THE YAPPY BUNCH is too irresistable to resist. So even if I still feel a tug in my heart saying good bye to my family every year at the end of December, I have the Quezon Province with Yub's gang to look forward to.

And we have a blast every single time (super pun intended). 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Every time we go to Quezon Province, our first stop would always be lunch at our favorite PALAISDAAN!!!

This time though, Andrei brought with him the fishing rod he bought with his own allowance. 

MY OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2014 (part 1)

I know it's not fair to make conclusions but man, my work place just give out the BEST Christmas parties to its employees! Yes! You gotta believe it!

I remember that when I was still new in TAPE Inc., I did not receive any advice on how to do my job well. Instead, I got a lot of raves saying that my new workplace had the most awesome Christmas party ever and that I was so lucky to experience it soon!!!!

So how does a Christmas party go in my office?

First things first, we always start with a mass to thank God for our office's continuous blessings. I for one am thankful that we are like one big family and our President is our caring father who continuously takes care of us. That's why most of the staff members in TAPE Inc. have stayed for decades because they don't only love their job but they have become really attached to the company.

For our annual Christmas party, one things for sure: there is a LOT of food. Yep! As far as the eyes can see. Our President is so generous and loves feeding us that it's no wonder I gained tons of pounds ever since I started working here.

Lastly, total equality is the name of the game in our party that when it comes to raffles, everybody has a fighting chance. No one is allowed to waive a prize so that if your name is picked, you get whatever it is. As a result, it doesn't matter if the person is a senior officer or somebody who is rich as Bill Gates, everybody wanted to win that grand prize all in the sake of fun!

It's always a fun getogether whenever my company has a Christmas party. Something is bound to happen that will get us talking for days and we would all scramble to pick out the best pictures to post in our social media albums.

Here's what we had this year!  

TAPE INC. Christmas party!

We always have our mass at Broadway Studio and I go there with my office mate friends. 

I hang out with the "newest employees" in TAPE Inc. tee hee and they always bully me so!!!!!!

Kidding! I love them!!