PHAT PHO MANILA

One Saturday, the Mommers invited me to hear mass with her and Ate Jowjits in Powerplant Mall. The Yubhubs and the boys were supposed to go with us but when they heard that we're going to have mass, they said that they suddenly had to go somewhere.

CHE!!!

It's okay. It's been awhile din since I've had an all ladies' date with my Mom and Ate Jit. So I'm sure it's going to be fun.

ESPECIALLY that there's no asungots around.

CHE AGAIN!

PHAT PHO MANILA!

FLATIRON 1771 WITH MY AUNTIES

My Aunties (Daddy's sisters) were here and we thought of treating them out somewhere for Saturday dinner that's not in our usual list of restaurants.

But where to?

The Yub and I had remembered that we had a delicious dinner date recently in FLATIRON 1771 so we suggested the BGC restaurant hoping that they would love the food as much as we did. It was a miracle that they listened to us (they never do... huhu) because we were right -- my Aunties may have been to many buffets and restaurants in Las Vegas but they still enjoyed and savored the dishes in FLATIRON 1771.

We all had a great Saturday dinner because of the delicious food and wonderful company.  Too bad my Daddy is not here with us. The great night just made us miss him more.

:(      

FLATIRON 1771!!!

My aunties were loving the set up. It made them feel young. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

CAFE PRONTO - MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

The YAPPY BUNCH just checked out from our awesome 5-star staycation in MARCO POLO HOTEL and we were feeling a bit hungry. Good thing that CAFE PRONTO was just downstairs and it was perfect for that "something light" that we were craving for. This was good news especially to hotel guests because they don't have to go to a fast food joint or a convenience store -- CAFE PRONTO is just there to make our tummies happy.

Not only that, it also meant that we could somehow "extend" our experience in Forbes Travel Guide's 5-star awardee while munching on delicious snacks. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Well, sleeping is the best of course. But we'll do THAT after we get ourselves full from CAFE PRONTO!!! He he he he!

CAFE PRONTO!

The chic cafe could be found beside the main entrance of MARCO POLO HOTEL.

CONNECT LOUNGE - MARCO POLO ORTIGAS

THE YAPPY BUNCH were having a staycation at Forbe's Travel Guide's 5-star awardee MARCO POLO HOTEL, and having a 5-star time!!!!

For that afternoon after checking in, we thought of just lounging around being lazy but we wanted to have some munchies. With that, I remembered how much fun my bunsoy Andrei and I had when we had a mini-date at CONNECT LOUNGE with their scrumptious Afternoon Tea!!!!

CONNECT LOUNGE!

CONNECT LOUNGE is on the 24th floor of MARCO POLO HOTEL near the lobby.  The place gives a breath-taking view of the Metro while you have your drinks and enjoy their fast (and free) wifi service!

EAT O'CLOCK (ALL DAY BREAKFAST)

I have always declared that breakfast is my weakness. Even if I'm controlling my carbs, just present me with coffee, eggs, garlic rice, (my favorites) and I become powerless. I don't know what but there is just something about breakfast that makes my tummy a bottomless pit. I NEVER get full when I'm wolfing down my usual "silogs" no matter what time of day.

So imagine my glee (with a matching yipee) upon discovering EAT O'CLOCK in THE NORTH HIVE FOOD PARK. With the growing popularity of food trucks in the Metro, it's great to know that one of them is serving the type of food I will never mind going back for.

And I'm sure that after one taste of it, the all day breakfast food at EAT O'CLOCK is something that you'll be craving for again and again.... 

It's a Friday night and we're in NORTH HIVE FOOD PARK!!!

Food parks are certainly the place to be in these days especially if you're in the mood for a variety of dishes in a very casual, no frills setting.

ANNAM VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT AGAIN!

We were in Eastwood one Friday night and suddenly had a craving for some Pho. With that, we instantly trooped on to ANNAM NOODLE BAR because the Chinese Dimpol and I had fun in our last meal there.

ANNAM!!!

Inside, ANNAM still had that cozy and intimate vibe that you wouldn't normally get in a restaurant that serves the very casual pho.

KAMUNING BAKERY

Life is all about simple joys. And for me, seriously, I get all happy and high when I get a whiff of freshly baked pandesal straight from the oven when I'm walking or driving somewhere.

While I was growing up, there used to be a panaderia in our street and we were blessed with the appetizing aroma every morning and during snack time. I don't know why but our friendly neighborhood panaderia closed shop and was replaced by something else. So now the scent of crusty bread and newly baked pandesal were no more. That's why whenever I'm at a street and the familiar smell of bakery love is there, I instantly get so sentimental and nostalgic.

Such are my feelings for KAMUNING BAKERY and my gratitude to Mr. Wilson Lee Flores for acquiring it. Imagine, this famous establishment has been baking our favorite Filipino baked goodies since 1939, and it has continuously done so the classic and "un-commercialized" way! Now why are we going to let it go?

I may not personally live in the neighborhood of KAMUNING BAKERY but the fact that it has been serving the people for 77 tears is enough for me to support it with full heart and tummy. And yes, though it may just be a little store, for us it shall always be the little bakery that could.

When you can, do visit KAMUNING BAKERY and relive the taste of freshly baked Filipino classics that have been enjoyed by many generations.

Now check out how this oldie livened one lazy Saturday afternoon for us!

KAMUNING BAKERY!!!!

KAMUNING BAKERY is located in the Jimenez corner K1st street of Quezon City. 

When you enter, it is like a trip back in time. Though the place has been renovated, they still remembered not to make it too modern. It's like your neighborhood bakeshop in the 70s!

ANNAM NOODLE BAR PHILIPPINES

Before the "ramen boom", it is the very comforting Pho that ruled our hunger when we are craving for something hot and flavorful to slurp on when the weather gets chilly. I for one would always drool over the clear soup glistening and very aromatic with the chewy rice noodles and fatty thin cuts of meat. Each slurp becomes more unforgettable with the crunch of the bean sprouts and minty basil leaves. After you're done with a full bowl of Pho, it is very likely that you'll sit back, close your eyes, and silently rejoice over that wonderful meal. Don't worry no one will judge you. The diners from other tables might be rubbing their bellies anyway.

Wow. Just WOW. Like, Jon Snow winning BATTLE OF THE BASTARDS kind of wow.

Vietnamese Pho is truly something. It is what we always go back to when we are in search of a refreshing meal experience that will warm and satisfy our tummies. There is really nothing like a piping hot bowl of Pho!!!

And to further heighten the enjoyment factor for Pho lovers out there, ANNAM NOODLE BAR recently opened it's doors in their first Philippine branch! Great news right??? This popular franchise that boasts of "in the rage" locations at Singapore and Indonesia is going to magnify your love for Pho AND Vietnamese cuisine to a whole new level.

So yes, it is time to go back to the familiar hot slurps of Pho but now, a new "spot on the block" is going to give you a different kind of maximum enjoyment to your Vietnamese favorites.

ANNAM NOODLE BAR!!!

ANNAM NOODLE BAR is not your typical eatery that serves Vietnamese food. It has warm lights, brown and red hues, and a cozy vibe that is perfect for all types of diners!

ATE JOJIT'S BRIDAL SHOWER (PART ONE)

I have done countless as in SUPER many surprise parties that I feel I could plan it in my sleep or while watching GAME OF THRONES. Really! I'm not exaggerating: Birthdays, Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Boyfriends just wanting to be romantic.... You name it! The great thing is I HAVEN'T done a surprise party where it wasn't successful: the celebrant would always have no idea and will get really surprised when it's party time. Plus there's always a theme and a program where he/she is the highlight of it all!

Yes, I have hosted soooo many surprise parties already that I feel it's time to hang up one's boots and retire. That is, AFTER I do one for somebody very special and totally unexpected (yep even for us)....

Ate Jojit's surprise bridal shower!!!!!

Really, Ate Jojit getting married was indeed unexpected that when I was calling her friends to invite to the shower, a lot of them we're so surprised.

"HUWAAAAAAAAAAAT??? JOJIT IS GETTING MARRIED??"

It was indeed a surprise for many not because she was (almost) a relic that we didn't thought she'd be getting married AT ALL (tee hee). But more because of they didn't have any clue about it!!!!

Their reactions were all so daunting that it seriously gave ME doubts if she really WAS getting married. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

If you're wondering why nobody knew (besides the family) it's because my sister was the anti-"share the #blessedness in Facebook" and did not make any sort of announcement. I asked her why and it's not because she didn't think her getting married was unimportant. But it was more like she didn't like it to be jinxed. So most of her close friends didn't know about the big news until I told them so (because of the surprise shower).

And when they didn't know it, I was like... "Uh-oh..." HA HA HA HA HA!

So yes, even if I'm already lazy to do surprise parties, I am so willing to "come out of retirement" for somebody so special, so loved, and SO deserving of a Bridal Shower.

My SISTER!

Oh. And it could also be payback time for those who didn't know about her engagement. He he he he he he he!

Yes seriously. That's what THEY said. Ha ha ha ha ha!

ATE JOJIT'S BRIDAL SHOWER!

THE METROPOLITAN CLUB INC., (MATI'S BDAY 2016)

When Mati celebrated his birthday this 2016, we thought everything was done when we had a staycation at DISCOVERY PRIMEA. But then, his lovely ninang Marian invited THE YAPPY BUNCH for some Sunday swimming and lunching at THE METROPOLITAN CLUB in Makati that we were so excited to accept!

Yes the "party" for my master Mati is not yet over.

And we were with superkaduper special people to celebrate it with!!!! 

Swimming at THE METROPOLITAN CLUB!

We love METRO CLUB because it was so near where we live. If there's no traffic, we're there in just 5 minutes!

What we love about METRO CLUB too is that whenever we're here, we always have the place all to ourselves.

A DEAN AND DELUCA BIRTHDAY

My dear mareng Gail recently celebrated her birthday and like what I would always do during that momentous event (naks), I treated her out at the restaurant of her choice.

At first it became sort of a tug of war between us with the neverending "You choose"... "No YOU choose".... "No, you choose" type of argument. Finally she relented that since it was HER birthday, she'll have dinner HER way.

And for that night, she chose DEAN AND DELUCA!

DEAN AND DELUCA was actually jampacked that night so it was a good thing we were able to get a table after a bit of wait.

DEAN & DELUCA AGAIN

ERICJAZ FOODIES with Best Gal Pal (BGP) Marian and Manong Fred have already been to DEAN & DELUCA before but since we had so much fun that night, we decided to make a return, pronto.

And we brought reinforcements....

...to pay the bill for us.

:P

DEAN & DELUCA!

It was a busy week day when we decided to go to DEAN & DELUCA. I had an early release from work (which was a rare thing) so it was just natural for us to invite our best friends for a couples night. 

That is, after we put the little lords to sleep!

DEAN & DELUCA

These days, the Chinese Adonis and I are able to go out more during weeknights since the little lords are old enough to sleep by themselves in their room. Before, we cannot really make plans on a weekday because they would really wait up for us until we get home, something we don't want happening because they needed to be up early for school the next day. These days, they just get short tutorial from the Chinese Adonis, eat dinner with us, then it's off to bed at 8:30pm. It is during that time where the Chinese Adonis and I say our goodbyes to them if we have made any plans.

Don't get me wrong. Even if we are able to go out now on school nights, we don't do it everyday. We still limit ourselves to just about once a week and we always go home before midnight since we will be waking up early to get the boys ready for school anyway. So yes, we COULD go out but it would have to be for something SPECIAL.

And of course for us, one of the SPECIAL "somethings" would be meeting out with my BGP (Best Gal Pal) Marian and her husband Manong (ew) Fred to try out this new restaurant in the Makati Area -- DEAN & DELUCA.

Our best friends going out on a food trip with us -- what could be more fun that THAT?

Well... a date with BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH comes to mind but not for this night. He he he he he he!

DEAN & DELUCA!

DEAN & DELUCA is located in front of POWER PLANT MALL at the side near the Mango exit.

DEAN & DELUCA opened its doors on September 1977 in Soho, New York and since then they have already served in several branches located in New York City, Washington DC, Charlotte, North Carolina; Leawood, Kansas; and St. Helena, California. They have also took spot in international store locations such as in Japan, Thailand, South Korea and The Middle East.

THE PLAZA (DELICIOUS PREMIUM ITEMS/ FOOD TO GO)

I'm sure it may be obvious by now (if you are one of the two regular readers of my silly little foodie blog) that I am such a nostalgic person.  Yep that's me. The overly sentimental schmuck who will never throw away used slippers by the little lords because there is a memory connected to it.

So it was no wonder that when the Chinese Adonis and I attended a dinner featuring the delicious PREMIUM GIFTS/ FOOD TO GO by THE PLAZA, a flood of memories caused pandemonium in my big forehead as the famous catering service was present to 2 of my life's milestones!

Yes you gotta believe it! Even I was astounded myself.
       

For your information, THE PLAZA may be the longest catering service in existence in the Philippines as it was established by husband and wife tandem of Jose Cruz Reyes and Imelda Albano, in 1965.

And guess who the little cutesie poo who was born and baptized at 1985??? 

Yup! That white cotton ball is me!

Yep. The 80's still had that 70's vibe to it!

As THE PLAZA was one of the popular caterers at the time, it was also the venue for my baptismal reception! Isn't that such a coincidence? That's why every time I hear the name THE PLAZA, I get this warm and fuzzy feeling inside that I am within the depths of the familiar. 

Too bad I cannot find a clear picture with me in it but that's my brother and sister standing on the chairs.

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET Kuya Jon and Ate Jit for not reading my blog. HA! :P

For the ERICJAZ FOODIES union (blech) I made a scrapbook of everything that went on after the Chinese Adonis said in tagalog "Yub, it's okay. We could get married soon."

What the.......?????????????????

It sounded like the hostage was giving up to his captors!

Anyway I remember that THE PLAZA was our top choice to be our wedding caterer. What you see on the picture above is a page from my scrapbook about my meeting with THE PLAZA banquet head (sorry I forgot her name) and we were scheduled for a food tasting. 

We were expecting really just some little saucers of food. Imagine our surprise when THE PLAZA presented a full spread for us. OHMYGULAY! Our diets are in trouble now!

Yup! A decade ago I was already a master of making faces. Tsk tsk tsk... And wrong grammar. I won't tell where. Ha ha ha ha ha!

CRISP ON 28TH

It may not look like it (since I could come off as a gremlin) but I love helping out in anyway that I can. And at the risk of sounding like a boisterous cutie pie (there you go), I make sure that when I "be of assistance", I would do more than what is expected of me and say a lot of "If you wants". If it sounds like I'm tooting my own horn, I apologize. But I'm really going for asking other people to do the same with their neighbors... He he he he! Wouldn't that be a lovely world to live in if we just do what we can for each other and not ask for anything in return?

Unless of course, the person asking a favor is Benedict Cumberbatch, with that all bets are off because I may be asking for a kiss or two in return! Har de har har!

Oooh... Yeah... the game is ON....

Anywho, I really had our Saturday planned out for quite some time as we have the ULTIMATE TASTE TEST (blog coming soon) in the morning and a night out with the Chinese Adonis' friends later on. But then, Kathi of Mucking Around Manila wanted to invite mareng Gail and her husband for brunch at CRISP that I got so hyper! I was so happy that my good friend was invited to her first official blog event and that she'll get to experience the fun I've always had with my KTG blogger friends! With that, the Chinese Adonis and I fixed our itinerary for the day (aka "not having siesta anymore") in support of Team Campo.

And wow! Once we saw all that CRISP ON 28TH food, I have forgotten why we were really there. I know we were supposed to support and help out Mareng Gail with her new blog called GLOG but one bite out of that fresh salad made me forget all about our friendship!

I think I was so tempted to get it all for myself even before she could take a picture of it! Ha ha ha ha! Kidding!

Seriously though, the Chinese Adonis and I were so happy that our intention to be supportive led to a very enjoyable gastronomic lunch! We now have a new venue to recommend to our friends and family!  So I guess, no good deed goes unrewarded! 

And what a delicious prize that was!

CRISP ON 28TH!

MCDONALD'S PLAY AREA (US TRIP)

The Chinese Adonis and I decided that whenever we're in another country, we would always check out the MCDONALD'S there.  You may think that we sold our souls to the "commercialized gods" but really if you think about it when you visit  a country's local MCDONALD'S you would discover different foods infused with their culture!

I remember in MCDONALD'S Thailand, there was chicken curry in the menu. In MCDONALD'S Hong Kong there was spicy chicken wings. In MCDONALD'S Rome I remember having this garden salad with a dressing I cannot pronounce. Of course, I need not go far from our Motherland as MCDONALD'S Philippines have spaghetti and fried chicken.

This foodie fact was actually a realization by Samuel L. Jackson (or was it John Travolta?) in the movie Pulp Fiction. There is actually a scene where they discuss how the Big Mac has different "personas" abroad.

Anywho, when we got back to Las Vegas I asked my cousin when we could drop by MCDONALD'S to check out what they are serving this time. Their menu is regularly changing and I remember the last time I was here, they had these MCSHAKE IT Salads that was similar to what they have in PEPPER LUNCH. My little lords, who are regular patrons of MCDONALD'S (not to mention kiddie crew members) were more than happy at our dining decision this morning because dear Mati remembered how big their play area was.

So off we went to have an early deal at MCDONALD'S Henderson in Las Vegas. I wonder what they have in their menu that is unique to this specific place of the golden arches.

MCDONALD'S!

ARBY'S

While we were in the US for summer, my husband was on the verge of tears as he craved to eat an all meat sandwich with layers upon layers of beef. He always saw those thick "man-wiches" on television but was getting frustrated that he can't find what he was looking for after 2 weeks.

Finally while we were en route to Las Vegas, we saw that there was an ARBY'S restaurant during our stopover. I had this before and recommended it to my husband if he would like to try it. He was actually unfamiliar with ARBY'S but I told him that they served the type of sandwiches that he'll love. So even if he really wanted to eat at Panda Express to have his favorite orange chicken, he agreed for a quick bite at ARBY'S.

When it was over and done, let's just say my ears got painful hearing him rave over and over again how delicious his beef sandwich was.  It was ALMOST one of those times when I wanted to say "I told you so" but I'll just play the model wife  this once and keep quiet. He he he he he!

Besides, it was not really a "heroic" deed for me since I also wanted to have a big beefy bite at ARBY'S! 

ARBY'S!!!

A FAST FOOD MORNING

While we were in Los Angeles for our US family vacation, I wanted to eat at some fast food restaurants but there was no time because of our very crazy theme park filled schedule. The reason for our craving was, in the few times that we were able to watch TV, we saw that CARL'S JR and TACO BELL had new mouth watering grub that is not available (yet?) in the Philippines!

So with that, my very hot niece woke up very early  and got a lot of fast food goodies for us!!!

Yohoo! Now this is what I may call the "best" unconventional breakfast there is!

While I was still snoozing, my niece Gayle went out early to buy these goodies for us!

If you're wondering who was taking the pictures, it's my dear Chinese Adonis who I kicked out of bed for this. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!

"Eat Like You Mean It"

Oh yes we certainly plan to!

According to my husband, everything was still piping hot from the bag of fast food goodies that he was controlling his cutie pie self from reaching out and getting one. 

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!

DENNY'S

During our 2nd Las Vegas staycation at THE GOLDEN NUGGET (SEE HERE!!!!), the Chinese Adonis craved for something meaty. Now before your naughty minds get all riled up, I was referring to beef, beef, and MORE beef. But since he was on a diet, he wanted his MEAT inside a bun.

Wait a minute, now THAT doesn't seem right. Me and my mind! Ha ha ha ha!

Anywho, we were in Downtown Las Vegas and upon checking online, the most probable restaurant that was nearest to us was DENNY'S. My husband hasn't eaten there yet and agreed with mucho gusto. So after swimming with sharks in our hotel pool (yup check the link up there!), we proceeded to DENNY'S to satisfy my husband's need for some meat.

DENNY'S!!!

If you want to know where the DENNY'S branch is downtown, just look for the Stratosphere!

If you don't know what the Stratosphere is, THAT'S the Stratosphere hotel. :)