A SUMO SAM HOLIDAY (2020)

Last December, THE YAPPY BUNCH went out for some family bonding bonding ekek because it was a holiday.

It may be so tempting to just stay at home and sleep the day away but going out with the boys and treating them to a nice lunch is something we'll not pass up.  Of course because of the present situation, we will still be extra careful and follow safety protocols imposed by the establishment. Yes, we all want to have fun BUT also be cautious at the same time.

With that, we decided to go to Edsa Shang because it's one of the malls I know that don't have many people. When we got there, the guard asked us questions and we answered honestly (we also called the restaurant beforehand).

So yay! Another fun family day. Even if there were a lot of extra things to do to ensure our safety, we all appreciated the caring measures and had an awesome day!  

WE'RE OUT!!!
(Can't buy me looooooveeee.... loooooove)

EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL'S BUFFET BREAKFAST

Though I eat most of the time, ALL THE TIME, I think there's some truth to it when I say that breakfast is my favorite meal for the whole day.

Sure, a platter of steak and crabs with wine IS something. But give me a bowl of garlic rice, egg, topped with either tapa, tocilog, danggit, then paired off with coffee, and I could have it all day, everyday!!!!

AYSUSHIMITA SEN SA SARAP OMAYGASH!!!

He he he he!

That's why for our breakfast in EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, I was very excited because not only is HEAT very popular around the metro, but we will be having my most awaited meal of the day at an exclusive restaurant in a 5-star hotel.

My curiosity became hungry like me!

Though of course, I would gladly have my breakfast at street eateries, this would be a nice change.

Check out our bondat breakfast in HEAT, EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL!

BREKKY WEKKY!!!!!!!

OUR HOTEL HOPPING TO WELCOME 2020

Every year, THE YAPPY BUNCH follows the tradition of my family going on hotel hopping on New Year's Eve. (Yep. We've been doing this in the 80s pa -- waaaaaay before hotel lounging and parties were a thing in the Metro.)

When the kiddies were younger we would really do our hotel hopping on December 31. However, hotels would usually have  New Year countdowns that it's difficult for us to get a table (take note, difficult, not impossible. We were still able to get a table because the kiddies were cute {we used them...  ha ha ha ha}. Yun lang our stay is limited {aka baka dumating na yung nagpareserve} so we had to go din after 30 minutes or an hour). Because of that, we decided to just do our Hotel Hopping after Christmas in hoping that some decorations were still up.

Last year we were not able to do our Hotel Hopping Tradition because we got sooooo busy. That's why for this year, we really made a point to go out for this (to think that we came pa from Antipolo). We're surprised that even the little guys were up for it (usually they'd sulk and ask to go home). So yeah it's a sign. It's time to carry on with the tradition.

Check out our fun Hotel Hopping (or hop) tradition in welcoming the year 2020!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

We're going HOTEL HOPPING!!!!!

DUCK AND BUVETTE

My kumareng Gail and I have this long standing tradition of treating each other during our birthdays. It's a simple but enjoyable tradition that I always look forward to because besides taking a break from our usual kuripot selves (he he he he he he), my long time kumare and I are able to set aside a date amidst our busy schedule.

At least, sure na that we'll meet up 2 times a year! He he he he he he!

For this year, when my mareng Gail asked where we'll go for my birthday treat, I said that I was fine wherever. My only condition was that it should be a place that I haven't been to before because I wanted to blog it.

With that, she came up with many suggestions but I was torn between Japanese or French food. At first I said Japanese, then French, then later on Japanese again.

FINALLY, my fickle-minded super self really took over and urged me that French was a better choice. With that I sent a very meek (but cute) text asking if she'll bust her pipe if I chose French again. Knowing my good friend, who's always fine with everything, she agreed without a problem. Yun lang when I asked her if I'm magulo na she answered with a "Mejo..."

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! CHE!!!!!!

Well, if that French restaurant meant DUCK AND BUVETTE, I'm sure you'll have a difficult time choosing your favorite Japanese over it!!!!!

DUCK AND BUVETTE!!!!!

DUCK AND BUVETTE has been in Edsa Shangrila Mall already for a loooooong time but it's our first time here.

BROTZEIT WITH THE BOYS (2019)

For our VALENTIMES celebration every year, the boys and I would always go out on one-on-one dates with their venue of choice. With these dates, I also take it as an opportunity to teach the little lords how to be a perfect gentlemen when they're out with a lady. I believe that you can't start them early enough when it comes to proper behavior!

Everything goes well of course, except for the food and farting department. He he he he he he he! KIDDING!

ANYWHO, our schedules were so full this year (plus somebody got sick again) that I was not able to have one-on-one dates with the boys. At the same time, when I ask who wants to go out on a VALENTIMES date with me, they would eagerly point TO THE OTHER ONE.

MGA CHE!!!

With that, the Yub and I just resolved to have a family date to officially end the VALENTIMES season. It was perfect timing too because we received an invite from BROTZEIT for their event "A FAMILY VALENTINE."

Family? That's something you don't hear in BROTZEIT everyday.

It's true though. BROTZEIT is now becoming popular with families because of their delicious dishes in their extensive menu that could be appreciated by the kiddies as well. The Yub and I haven't brought the little lords to BROTZEIT that's why we're happy that for our family VALENTIMES date, we'll get to do this with them.

Check out our VALENTIMES night in BROTZEIT where we all had a great time feasting on meats plus more. It may not be our usual venue for VALENTIMES but huwadaheck, we all had an enjoyable family date!

BROTZEIT!

It was a full house that night!

GREEN PASTURES AGAIN

The last time the Chinese Panget and I were in GREEN PASTURES in Shangrila Mall was when I treated the mareng Gail for her birthday about 3 years ago. The food was delish and we had no qualms in coming back. However, we don't go to Shangrila Mall as much as we used to because of the traffic situation and there were other venues closer to our house.

Fast forward to a night last summer when Team Campo, Pogi CEO couple, and ERICJAZ FOODIES were planning where to meet for our Thursday dinner. After much deliberation, we ended up in GREEN PASTURES, well mostly because the POGI CEO was going to give us our pasalubongs from Japan and we were at his mercy. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Mahal pa naman sa GREEN PASTURES! Che!

Seriously though, it was a great choice for our couples night getogether -- the food was delicious and the place had a nice vibe to it.  We already know that it was going to be a fun meet-up because we could chat about anything non-stop. But if you put great food (healthy one at that) in the equation then it will surely be an awesome and successful night.

Successful kasi we got pasalubongs!! Yay!

Now I want to go back here. He he he he he!

We're in GREEN PASTURES!!!!!

A SABADO DE FIESTA IN SAMBA - SHANGRI-LA FORT

Even if we have a very tiring and busy workweek, the Chinese Dimpol and I always make it a point to have some "gimik" time with the little lords. Besides the usual mealtimes (breakfast ftw!!!), we would usually plan simple outings with them that's outside our usual schedule (like Mati's Kali lessons and movie movie time at home). That's why we have reserved our weekends with them because the Yub and I believe that family time is always the best time. Not only that, since the little lords are fast growing up, I know that soon they'll be going out with their posse and girlies leaving the Yub and I all pathetically alone. He he he he! Wawa us!

Imagine our excitement when one Saturday, THE YAPPY BUNCH were invited to have lunch in Shangri-la at the Fort! I have read about this Peruvian feast and was really looking forward to trying it out with the boys. The great thing too is that we'll be having this great lunch with our other foodie friends from the KAIN TULOG GANG (KTG). It's been a long time since I saw them last and it would be great to catch up again.

Saturday. The boys. Chinese Dimpol. KTG friends. Samba. Shangri-la Fort.

Truly a fiesta of a great time! 

My gang this Saturday!!!!

IT'S OKTOBERFEST 2017 AT BROTZEIT!

The event that every beer-drinker and party-goer are waiting for is now here with OKTOBERFEST 2017, and in BROTZEIT, even the "food lover" is going to have a festive great time! Last week, that's what THE KAIN TULOG gang awesomely discovered during the launch in their Edsa Shangrila branch -- we got to experience OKTOBERFEST, BROTZEIT style.

Yup! Eat! Drink! Party! BROTZEIT has delicious menu items that will make your OKTOBERFEST more exciting!

OKTOBERFEST!

It's happening tonight at BROTZEIT baby!

THE CHINESE ADONIS' 40TH BDAY CELEBRATIONS

The Chinese Dimpol had his big 4-0 this year and even if I told him there won't be ANY sort of celebration (because he didn't do anything when I turned 40!!!!), I wasn't able to resist and gave him a LOT of birthday gimmicks! I figured, he may not really be into grand gestures but he shows us everyday how much he loved us by being the most dependable and loving husband, daddy, son, brother, and son-in-law, there is. That's why I was glad when we were planning his birthday getogethers, I didn't have any problems with guests' participation -- the ones who mattered really partied with us.

So let me share with your how we celebrated the 40th birthday of our one and only Chinese Dimpol! Why? Because you guys are also VERY special to us!

Naks!!!!

:)

 

HAPPY 40TH BDAY our dearest!!!!

TASTE THE LOVE AT BROTZEIT!!!!!

To have a great VALENTINE'S celebration, it's not always about the roses, the pink hearts, or the empty promises you declare to make the night go somewhere. Nope. Personally, I believe that to have a memorable VALENTINE'S day, you should have something special, scrumptious, and utterly delicious to make your way to your date's heart via his/her stomach.

And if you agree with me, then you should check out how they'll serve up your VALENTINE'S and MORE at BROTZEIT. 

It's time to TASTE THE LOVE!!!

BROTZEIT German Bier Bar and Restaurant!

It was a busy Friday night in the famous German restaurant with diners celebrating the start of the weekend.

GREEN PASTURES

It was the birthday of my favorite kumareng Gail and like what we've been doing for so many years now I treated this lovely lady to the restaurant of her choice. She was also preggers so making her happy was very vital. In the end, after thinking long and hard, she chose GREEN PASTURES!

And since I haven't tried this restaurant offering healthy food yet, it also made me SO happy as well!!!!

ERICJAZ FOODIES with Team Campo in GREEN PASTURES!!!

GREEN PASTURES has already been existence for a long time and I've heard many foodies rave about the dishes. It was something I was always putting on schedule but not really following through because well, I am just stubborn and lazy that way.

CIRCLES BUFFET THE THIRD TIME (SHANGRI-LA MAKATI)

My friends and I raided MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL once again to have dinner in CIRCLES BUFFET. But this time, besides Mike and Donna, I had a very special guest joining us tonight --- my eldest son, Master MATI!!!!!!

ERICJAZ FOODIES with Team Mina, Team Sales, and my dearest Master MATI!!!!

And THIS is where we're heading out for tonight.

I made reservations for 7:30pm that Saturday night in Makati Shangri-la. As usual, we were there early not only because we're punctual but because we want to start eating before my friends arrive. Of course, we didn't want them to see us pigging out!

TEE HEE!

AN EDSA SHANGRILA HOTEL SIT DOWN WEDDING!

On one particularly busy Saturday, ERICJAZ FOODIES was fully booked to a T: Early in the morning we attended the school intrams of the little lords because they will be having a presentation. Afterwards we watched Andrei and his team compete in his grade level basketball. Then at night, we will be attending not one, but two parties.

Would you believe that in the middle of it all, we will also be attending a wedding in EDSA SHANGRILA HOTEL? Yep! And I was lovin' it! Truth be told, I hated attending weddings when I was single. Because not only am I expected to answer the usual MEH question of "When are you getting married?", I fiercely DO NOT like joining the bouquet toss.

Add to that the garter game with the guy? (Homer shudders).

Now that I'm happily married to the man of my dreams (blech), I will never miss a chance to attend a wedding. Besides having the chance to dress up and meet with friends/or family, I love attending events where there is so much happiness in the air. Plus, it's nice to see two people, who are so in to each other, say their vows and party on like the Chinese Adonis and I did many years ago.

Haaaaay....  To be young and in love!

Of course, food is NEVER a factor for us when we attend weddings. Sometimes I even forget about it. ("Huh? There's a buffet? I didn't know!")

Yehessss... To be old, in love, and DELUSIONAL.

Okay fine. Food does that even to the best of us.

:)

We're going to a wedding!

The wedding was in EDSA SHANGRILA BALLROOM and we're relieved that even if we were late, the reception program hasn't started yet. 

ANDREI GETS HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE!

I'm not really a fan of the words "whatever will be, will be" when it comes to planning and mapping out an itinerary. For me, there should always be a schedule and a definite agenda for the day. However, as I got older (ahem) I have come to accept that things could not always go our way and we should learn how to conform when needed. Because really, sometimes things just happen for a reason that it may even be a pleasant surprise for us.

This is EXACTLY what happened to THE YAPPY BUNCH one weekend!


Usually on Sundays, we would go to mass, have a quick snack, then rush home for our family lunch. However for this particular family day, we did not go to our usual church and instead, heard mass at SHANGRILA MALL.

The little lords were behaved during service but Andrei saw how there was this driving school that was set up at the other side. He kept asking if we could check it out after mass and I kept answering him that we'll see if we'll have time for it.

After mass, the Chinese Adonis and little Andrei immediately rushed towards the registering counter and learned that Andrei will be scheduled for the second batch at 2:30pm. Oh no! We won't be home in time for our family lunch!!!

We realized though that this may be the only time that Andrei will get to try this kiddie driving school. It may not be like what they have in KIDZANIA but still, it is something that my little lord could learn from. So we just prepared to change our plans for that afternoon and go ahead with it.

Lo and behold! While we were waiting, the attendants informed us that some of the the kiddies who registered were late and they already needed to start. So that means Andrei could now take an earlier slot!

Wohoo!!

We may be a bit late for our family lunch but at least we could still catch up! Later on we learned that my sister and brother will also be arriving at the same time as us. So that means we'll all still be having our (late) lunch together!

Isn't it great how things happen for a reason and works out in the end?

And for our Sunday, it's all because of Andrei and his strive to drive! Ha ha ha ha! 

The CHILD SAFETY INITIATIVE was set up by Volkswagen Philippines to educate little kiddies on the rules of traffic.

The program occupied most of the main floor of EDSA SHANGRILA thus catching the attention of most of the kiddies.

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!

SUMO SAM

Sometime last year, I introduced my dearest kumare, Gail Campo to my new found foodie friend Albert Santillana with their significant others. It was actually like a blind date where you're hoping that the two people you hooked up would get along and not roll their eyes at each other. Except that for this one, I was meeting up 4 people! As I expected, yes, the Santillanas and Campos acted like old friends and we had a great night full of laughs.

You might ask why I am just posting this tonight when we had such a pig out and gab fest at SUMO SAM "sometime last year". Well maybe this is a reminder that it IS time for the Santillanas and the Campos to volt in again very soon...

... and YES, Japanese should still be in the menu. Right Albert? Ha ha ha!

Is that subtle enough for you? :)

SUMO SAM!!! 

KETTLE

It seems like KETTLE is all the rage nowadays and I've been hearing a LOT of raves left and right. With that we were not just compelled but rather hypnotized to mark our calendars and set our next date night there. 

KETTLE! 

IKKORYU FUKUOKA (AGAIN)

For some reason, the food gods are making it my fate to have Japanese food for many times in a row that I am already sneezing out the word "HAI... chew". I don't really mind because next to my usual flavor of the month, Japanese cuisine is always the next in line for my appetite...

I cannot live without Sushi...
I cannot live without Ramen...
I cannot live without Teppanyaki....
I cannot live without Bioman...

este...

I just cannot live without JAPANESE FOOD let's just leave it at that...

Whew!

So even if my husband and I already ate at the very popular IKKORYU FUKUOKA (see HERE!!!!) many times, we were still looking forward to dinner with our foodie family. Well for one I always believe that my tummy could never have enough ramen and second, who am I really to question my fate with the food gods?

And all I could say too is that those food gods REALLY know how to do their job!!!!

IKKORYU FUKUOKA RAMEN!

WEE NAM KEE

Sometime last year (try to guess when based on the length of my broomstick hair) my 2 gorgeous friends met up with little ol' me for a night of gabbin' and grubbin. My kumareng Gail and I, both very "practical" (read: stingy/"kuripot") wanted to eat somewhere where the food was good but prices cheap.

So I suggested in my alluring bedroom voice "Why not WEE NAM KEE?"

She agreed wholeheartedly (not because of my "alluring bedroom voice" which actually sounded more like Minnie Mouse's squeak) but she has read and heard about the delicious legend of WEE NAM KEE and was raring to try it. So there we went on a beautiful Friday night and we're so happy to have an awesome time helping ourselves to scrumptious Singaporean food with non-stop laughter on the side.

DUH and it's not because of my voice!

WEE NAM KEE!