ITALIANNI'S WITH MATI (UPTOWN MALL) (2021)

Every VALENTIMES, I always plan a date with my sons. Of course, it's fun to go out as a whole family during this day of hearts but I find that spending quality one-on-one time with your son is also needed. You'll find that they'll tend to behave differently without the brother/aka enemy. Tee hee! I've made it a tradition and I hope the boys do it even when they're adults na.

Usually it's just US with the driver for that definite alone time. This year however, we planned to do it on a night where it was our driver's day off. So who's the next best choice???

THE YUBHUB! Aba syempre... Drayber sweet lover din yan!!!!!

When asked where he felt like going, Mati answered that he's in the mood for some good ol' Italian food. With that, we went to our current favorite, ITALIANNI's!!! Not only does the restaurant serve delicious pasta, pizza, and complimentary bread, BUT, they also have a 50% off promo! Yay!

(Jaz of 2023 - not anymore... bwa ha ha ha ha ha)

Don't you just love Mati for sensing that?? It may be the reason why he chose ITALIANNI'S in the first place!

That's my boy!!!

We're going to ITALIANNIS!

Malamig Yub???

HIGHLANDS STEAKHOUSE (MOA)

It's VALENTIMES and like what we do every year, the Yub is tasked to find a place for our loving (kuno) date.

(I said kuno because seriously, we would use ANY excuse to go out for good food. Ha ha ha ha ha!)

Supposedly we would go to our usuals (MAMOU or WAGYU STONE GRILL) but the Yub wanted to try something new.

At first I was complaining because lazy me only want to go someplace near (aka not too far when my tummy comes a-grumbling). However, it's very rare when the Yub doesn't give in to my bratty whims that okay fine, with rolling eyes, I followed na.

And so we ventured out for HIGHLAND'S STEAKHOUSE!

YIHIIIIII!!! DATE KAMI!!!!!

OUR VALENTINE'S (2021)

Iiiiit's VALENTIME'S once again and though many out there are all starry eyed and looking forward to a romantic celebration this day of hearts, for me it's different.

I have another excuse to EAT!!!

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Naaaah! I'm kidding!

I've spent so many years being that unattractive other friend whom nobody notices and I dream of the day when I'll have a forever Valentime. I guess I looked pathetic because my Dad would send me flowers with the card "From Roger, your secret admirer" just to make me feel better. Ha ha ha ha ha!

So that day finally came and I'm so thankful to have not just one, but 3 pogi VALENTIMES all in all.

Of course, Daddy will always and forever be my original VALENTIME who was there when no one wanted me. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!! He was after all, the one who set the standard of surprising me with flowers, giving us chocolates, and treating us out every VALENTIME'S!

Now the guys I have now will suffer the consequences!

BWA HA HA HA HA!

Kidding!

HAPPY VALENTIME'S DAY everyone!

(Yes that's how I always call it. May reklamo??!!)

OUR VALENTINE'S (2020)

And how was your VALENTINE'S? Or as I call it, VALENTIMES!!!

To be honest I was not really expecting much for VALENTIMES. I was angry with the Yub for something and didn't feel like going out AT ALL. Plus, I'm sorta lazy with the plans for that weekend.

Then on the day of VALENTIME'S I saw THIS again -- my Dad's last card noting it as "From a secret admirer," and I remembered how he made such a fuss about VALENTIME'S every year.

When we were still little brats he would always give my Mommy flowers and box of chocolates (the one that Forest Gump loved -- assorted). Tee hee... I remember my siblings and I would look hungrily as my Mommers opened her box of chocolates and she would just give it all to us to devour.

As we grew older, my Daddyowzers would then order flowers and have it delivered to me "from a secret admirer." (I was an ugly duckling then so I guess he took pity on me. Ha ha ha ha ha). I

Even after I developed into a ravishing young lady (he he he he he) he continued sending me flowers with the usual "From your secret admirer" or "From: Roger" (his codename).  Sometimes he would even request our driver to give the bouquet of flowers at my work so that my officemates would see how I had "somebody". Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!

So yeah. My Dad is the reason why I'm such a romantic. VALENTIME'S was such a big deal to him that he would give flowers to all of the girls in the family and household (yep, his secretary and help included) and be extra mushy to my Mommy.

That's why I realized, I shouldn't be such a crab this VALENTIME'S. This is one of the events where Daddy made it more meaningful for me and I should honor his loving efforts  by having fun this day of hearts.

I'm sure he would've loved it that way (pun sorta intended).

Sharing with you my VALENTIMES' celebrations this year and I hope "naka-iskor" kayong lahat!

Tee to the hee!!!!!

HAPPY VALENTIME'S!!!!

EWWWWW!

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!!!!!!!!

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!

MUSEUM AND DAMPA DAY WITH MOMMY

I have been inviting my Mom to have a museum day for soooooo long but she had many things to attend to in the family business that it never pushed through.

Finally for our VALENTIMES SEASON, I declared that we will have our family date in my much-awaited "Museum Day": We will go to the National Museum of Fine Arts in the morning then have a seafood feast for lunch. I was so happy that my Mommers agreed (I guess she knew that I would NEVER stop bugging her) and so we planned that super fun Saturday.

In fact, I got two invites from friends to go out that day, but no can do -- we have a date with my number one lady!!!!

And as expected my Mom had a lot of fun. I was so aching to say "I told you so" with pointy pointy finger but I loved her too much (ha ha ha ha ha ha!)

Hopefully we'll get to plan more Museum outings with her because it's something I know that my "culture-loving" Mom would enjoy. Of course, we also had loads of fun too because it's a refreshing change of our family gimik instead of the usual mall and parks.

So here's our VALENTIMES date with my Mommers when we became all fartsy tartsy and ended with us getting bondat from seafood.

Now THAT is my kind of date!!!!!!

WOHOO!!!!

OUR VALENTINE'S (2019)

Call me baduy (because really, I am) but I absolutely LOOOOOVE Valentines.

In fact, I love it sooo much that I made a new name for it: VALENTIME'S!!! If you're a regular reader of my blog (ay kaawa awa ka namang nilalang) you'll see how I always refer to the day of hearts like that. Many times people would correct me (na parang I'm so engot) and I just say, "Well I like to call it VALENTIMES because I find that way cuter!"

May reklamo??? He he he he he!

Kidding aside, I've always loved VALENTIMES because growing up, I saw how kilig Mommy got when my Dad gave her Cadbury chocolates (which she'll share with us) and roses. I told myself, "When will my time come???"

Come my teenage years, my Dad gave me roses and labelled it with "Happy Valentines from your secret admirer, Roger" I don't know if my Dad gave roses every year because he saw nobody took a second look at me (NAPAKAGANDA KO NON PROMISE), OR, he's simply the most romantic person there is. I think it's the latter. He he he he.... But yeah, there were no Valentine scenarios ala Close Up commercials for me. While my friends were getting ready for their dates and their pa-cutesy-tootsie stuffed toys to give their boyfriends, I would usually just go out with my family. Honestly? I didn't mind too much because I always had fun with our movie and dinner nights that I didn't feel much of a loser. He he he he he he.  Maybe it's because I have the best company and I know that something (or someone) will be coming very soon.

Nakkkks!!!!

So fast forward to when I got married and had the little lords. I know I always point this out but I cannot believe that for somebody who was ignored so much by boys in my HS years, I now have not one, but 3 super good-looking gentlemen to celebrate my VALENTIMES season with. As in, take my pick right???? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

I guess that's the reason why I'm always up to do the whole shebang when it comes to VALENTIMES (wear red, love the flowers and chocolates, go out on Feb 14 even if it's traffic) because I have so much to catch up on.

The best part too is that I also have family dates to celebrate the season of amore.

See why I love VALENTIMES so much?

Check out this year's celebration! You'll also see how a very fun day suddenly made a nose dive in emotions. He he he he he!

:)

HAPPY VALENTIMES EVERONE!!!!

OUR VALENTINE'S (2018)

VALENTIMES arrived. And even if I'm normally very excited for this  happy hearts day celebration every year, I have to admit I was not that into it as I was before. Of course, a big part of my lack of enthusiasm was losing my first Valentine  and I was expecting (or dreading) that everything will be different this year.

It turns out, everything went like it was before: I received flowers, I got kisses from my boys, some officemates gave me chocolates, had great dates with the hub and the family -- I actually had a lot of fun during VALENTIMES.

But how did it REALLY turn out?

See below!

Happy VALENTIMES!!!!

When I woke up, lo and behold, somebody was creepily standing there with a proud smile. If it weren't for the flowers, natadyak ko to ng di oras. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Sorry. I'm an aswang talaga in the mornings.

When I came to my senses na... Awwwwww... Thank you so much Yub!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!

When I got downstairs, I got some candy hearts from my sister and more flowers from my Kuya Jon.

On my way to office, I saw many posts about VALENTIMES. My favorite would have to be this one.

I read this in the voice of Ken Jeong from The Hangover movies. Ha ha ha ha ha!

A close second would have to be this one.

Now I wonder how THAT happened??? Hmmmm.... Tee Hee!

OUR MAMOU TOO DATE!!!

I admit that when the VALENTIME'S season arrives, I'm always excited. Call me corny, cheesy, baduy, whatever, but seriously I am! There's just something about getting all lovey dovey and sweetie pacutesie during this season which really tugs the romantic in me.

Best thing too is that VALENTIME'S gives you MORE excuses to have a date and EAT!!!

For VALENTIME'S this year the Chinese Dimpol had to work both on February 14 and 15. So that meant we're not going out on our usual season of hearts date. Of course me being all human and dramatic got into my usual "tampo mode" and how "nobody loved me".

Two days after VALENTIME'S the Chinese Dimpol only texted me three simple words "Yub, want steak?"

Oh yes. My husband knows me super well already. Suddenly all is right in the world and I felt like Game Of Thrones is going to have a happy ending.

Yep! We're going to have steak this VALENTIME'S and the choice for that night was with our favorite...

MAMOU TOO!!!!

The Chinese Dimpol, though he made "indyan" on Valentine's Day and the day after, fetched me at the office so confidently happy.

In short, ang yabang. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

After a short drive from my office (he he he he) we arrived just in time for the Chinese Dimpol's reservations....

OUR VALENTINE'S (2017)

So how did you spend your VALENTIMES?

Before you wear your grammar nazi hat and immediately point out my spelling, well D-UH. That's intentional. Of course, we are still respectful of St. Valentine and how this day is connected to many beliefs and traditions. But for us, this is a special day of love, fun, and laughter -- and we want it all the time, hence, VALENTIMES!!!!

I swear if that won't blow the minds off the people in Thesaurus, I don't know what will.

:P

Anywho, if you ask us, we celebrated VALENTIMES in a number of ways. We had it with the boys, we had it in a government institution, we had it with family, etc., etc., But most importantly, we celebrated VALENTIMES our own way. Don't get me wrong, we still find it fun to be cheesy corny by wearing red, bringing flowers, and having dinner in restaurants bursting with cupid images. But when life alters our original plan, it's still romantic to do something to "catch up".

Most especially of course if you have somebody so willing to catch up that special day with you.

BLECH.

Sorry. He he he he he he eh he!

HAPPY VALENTIMES DAY!!!!!!!!!

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.

CRAVINGS SPECIAL VALENTINE OFFERINGS!!!

Thinking of where to go this Valentines day with your special someone but don't want to break bank? Check out CRAVINGS special offerings for as low as P595.00 per person!!!

Yep it's true! Honestly speaking, the deal is so good that I may even take myself!

From February 10 to 15, 2017, relive the feeling of your favorite romantic movies by getting the love from delicious food at CRAVINGS! For only P595.00 per head, you'll get a hot and delicious plate of Pasta Paella. If you want a more meatier option, go for the Filet Mignon plate at only P750.00 per person.

Don't forget that both meals come with unlimited soup and salad servings from their buffet, and a choice of red or white wine!

Now that's very affordable AND special right? And, since it's CRAVINGS, you'd know that the food will be awesome! 

And yes, the Chinese Dimpol and I were able to enjoy it for ourselves! 

LINGUINI FINI (OUR VALENTINE'S DATE 2016)

For our VALENTIME'S DATE this 2016 the Chinese Adonis and I celebrated it differently from how we do it in other years. But of course, one thing remains true to our date and that is engorging ourselves not on each other but with SUPERKADUPER OMAYGASH delicious food....

And for this year, our happy discovery was.... 

LINGUINI FINI!

OUR VALENTIMES 2015 (DATE WITH MATI IN CIBO)

It was VALENTIMES and like what we do every year, my dearest master Mati took me out on a date. As with our usual practice, he will choose the restaurant while I pay for dinner.

His first choice was to have dinner at his favorite, HOUSE OF MINIS but then, I got off work late and the branch at Greenhills was closed already. I promised him that we will have another date at his favorite steakhouse next time.

His plan B was for some pasta at CIBO. I'm glad because I was also craving for some of Margarita Fores' simple Italian comfort food that the Chinese Adonis was not overly fond of. Besides the company, I always look forward to having these dates with my master Mati because he is more adventurous to all types of cuisine than his Daddy. At least I will get to eat my tummy's desires without fear of this Chinese Adonis (aka brute) going EEEWY.

Hopefully when Mati grows up into this genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, he'll make me choose where to go for our VALENTIMES date AND foot the bill. That is, if he will STILL take me out. If not, I will immediately become a Monster-in-Law with a broken heart. He he he he!

HAPPY VALENTIMES my dearest "Mati Stark"!

CIBO!

OUR VALENTINE'S 2015 (DINNER AND SHOW!)

If you see me refer to the special day of hearts as VALENTIMES, don't worry it's not you, it's me. For some odd reason, I have always called that special day my own way because I guess it makes it all the more personal for me.

However, for somebody who would like to be "original" by using the word VALENTIMES, I celebrate this much commercialized event the usual corny way -- wearing red, getting flowers, having dinner, acting all kilig kilig (ew). The husband and I don't care if it's too much of a cliche (aka "baduy"), we're having a good time so that's that.

Usually for VALENTIMES, the Chinese Adonis and I would have dinner out with our lonesome. Now, the little lords got in on the fun and would take me out on different nights with dinner (of their choice) at any restaurant (that I'll pay).

For this year though, VALENTIMES was different for THE YAPPY BUNCH -- Yub and I got free tickets to watch a show with my office buddies, while Andrei was not able to take me out since he got sick.

Be as it may, it was still an unforgettable week of hearts for THE YAPPY BUNCH (yep including our ER date with Andrei at the end of the week -- thank God he's okay now). Like I said, it doesn't matter if the restaurant is dingy or classy because we always find silliness and enjoy everything we do together!

HAPPY VALENTIMES!!!

When I woke up on February 14, 2015, THIS greeted me by my bedside!

It turned out, Yub woke up extra early to buy my flowers somewhere so that when I open my eyes, BOIIINNNNG.... flowers!!!

HAY YUB! You forgot to buy again no???

Kidding! But I really appreciated the gesture. We stayed in bed until about 10:30am because we were too lazy to get up. 

Nothing naughty happened don't worry. It's impossible to do so when the little lords would peek inside (wanting to snatch my tab to play Minecraft) every few minutes. He he he he!

We did get up before 11:00am for my brother's birthday lunch at MARUFUKU! Blogpost soon to follow!

OUR VALENTIMES DATE THAT NIGHT....

The Chinese Adonis and I were so fortunate to receive a free VALENTIMES date that included dinner and a show. Most of the time, organizers would sell tickets to my place of work and they would give it away to interested parties... like US!

TRY SOME KOUIGN AMANN HEARTS THIS VALENTINES DAY!!!

Brace yourselves.

VALENTINES is coming.

It may seem so trivial to some but if you are so lucky to be with the overly romantic type who would pull a "fatal attraction" (if you do not present something that would produce an "AWWWWWW" moment) then you might be in trouble.

Haaaay.... The Chinese Adonis is soooo LUCKY!

Now I'm not saying you head over to Tiffany's and break your wallets even with a minuscule ring. Besides vowing eternal love to your significant other it may be utterly nice to give his/her something sweet that is beyond the usual roses, chocolates, or cherry flavored knickers (what the...?).

For this Valentines, why not go for the French route? Of course, you could never go wrong with the ways of the most romantic people there is. Imagine the sweet smile that your lady love will flash before you when you present her with a box of KOUIGN AMANN hearts from KA BY CICOU!

KOUIGN AMANN hearts!

OUR VALENTINE'S 2014

Every year, one of my most anticipated celebration is Valentine's Day but in our family, we call it VALENTIMES! Judge me all you want but I love being cheesy and using up all the cliches on this day of hearts. You know the couple that you would like to hate on this day? Yup! Yup! That would be us: We wear red... I get the flowers... We have a very corny dinner. But in the end, it is always VERY fun for us! And that's what matters.

It is also this day that my little family and I have whipped out another tradition to our list (yes..... yes... another one!): Instead of just having a Valentime's with my husband, I also have a date night each with my boys. It was last year that Mati promised that he will take me out every Valentimes and give me P150.00 always. Hopefully when they grow up to be tall gentlemen, they would still treat out their little fat mommy for a one on one dinner and possibly give me a red rose or two.

For this year though, almost everything went wrong and did not go as expected. But still, if there is something that I have learned in life especially with my silly little foodie blog, the restaurant may be dingy or crappy but the night will still be fun if we are with the people we love.

But then again...

When your date is snoozing on you... you know that the night will be an unforgettable one. Ha ha ha ha!

Poor little Andrei just came from a field trip on February 13, but did not want to cancel out on our VALENTIMES date! He was so excited and talked about a lot of things of what happened to his day but then after I ordered, he closed his eyes and snoozed.

Ain't he still cute though?

After our very quiet dinner, he woke up and was energized at my promise of letting him play at Kidzville. Oh well... Once again, I paid for dinner and my date got his way. 

Good thing he is a very cute date!