YUUJIN

For many years, we have been passing along Wilson Street when going home to (!!!CENSORED!!!) and not once have we eaten at this quiet Japanese restaurant on the main road. The restaurant's name is YUUJIN and I always thought that since it was situated besides houses upon houses of the posh Greenhills' subdivision, the prices there would be as high as cutie pie Godzilla. But, after reading the blog entry of dear SUGAR, SPICE, AND EVERYTHING NICE, I was enlighted that food there was not only delicious but very affordable!

HALLELUJAH! It's time to PARTY! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

Okay I may be going overboard (as I usually do) but you do see how that's great news to us.

So one night after work instead of suffering the hustle and bustle of mall restaurants, the Chinese Adonis and I went for the reclusive YUUJIN.  And, after a very delicious and satisfying meal, we felt a bit guilty for bypassing this Japanese oldie for such a long time. To think that IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS and other people who live faraway have been blogging about it! Oh well that's lesson learned for us to NEVER take such restaurants for granted. Sometimes what could be your "next favorite" may already be under your noses and you haven't given it a chance at all!

Now that would give us MORE reason to try out EVERY restaurant at our route going home to (!!CENSORED!!). First stop, MCDONALDS!

KIDDING. Duh. He he he he he!

YUUJIN JAPANESE CUISINE!

The facade of YUUJIN is really like an old house that was converted into a restaurant.

Save for the few signs outside, you would only think that they are having some sort of party inside with a celebrant named YUUJIN. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Okay fine I guess I made my point already. 

NIGAZZ HOUSE OF RAMEN (LUCBAN, QUEZON PROVINCE)

When we celebrated our New Year's weekend in Lucena, we had a day wherein we went around Lucban and Tayabas Quezon Province with the boys. When it was time for lunch we decided to try out the only ramen place in the area that I have been hearing SO much about. Of course, when it comes to ramen my motto is "If you build it, they will come"(from Field of Dreams).  If I hear that there's a ramen house in whatever area, I am bound to drag my family over there. Good thing too that THE YAPPY BUNCH are so fond of slurping on noodles.

Well, except the Chinese Adonis. He doesn't have a choice but to go with us. That is, if he wants to get some labing labing from me. Ha ha ha ha ha ha! 

NIGAZZ HOUSE OF RAMEN!

The restaurant is named after the owner's son. They had other options in mind but this was what DTI approved. He he hee!

The restaurant is really small that you might pass by without noticing it. NIGAZZ is almost beside a Sari Sari store in that street.

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!

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!

THE GOOD JUICE

This year may be so-so to some but for ERICJAZ FOODIES, 2015 will definitely be a time to remember. Yep! We claim it! Though we normally always have the best year every time, 2015 will mark many happenings that will definitely get TP (top priority) in our silly little foodie blog.

NUMERO UNO -- My sister is getting married this year! Yep! It will finally happen. She actually doesn't like me broadcasting it. But hey, since she doesn't read my blog, no harm will be done (aka, she will not know about it he he he he!).

NUMERO DOS -- I will be turning 30 this year. Yes I know. It really doesn't look like it since people say I look 25 but it IS possible. You know how some women are ashamed to let everyone know the truth about their age? That doesn't apply to me. I AM SO PROUD to be FINALLY 30.

Tee Hee....

NUMERO TRES -- Actually there's no third reason. I just put this here because only having NUMERO UNO and DOS for the heading seem incomplete. He he he he he he! But hey, if we're really going for it, since we have many important events coming up, I am looking at EATING A LOT this year! Of course, numerous celebrations may also call for repeated food consumption. So I'm getting myself ready for THAT.

ANYWAY, looking at my Top Priority reasons above, I feel that I should already adapt a change in my lifestyle. Don't get me wrong, for my sister's wedding and for turning 30, I am not really focused on getting stick thin like I was before (yes it happened). What I aim to go for now is BEING HEALTHY.

I know who I am and I cannot anymore change my love for food. Asking me to just restrict myself to a few sorry pieces of lettuce is like the end of the world for me. I love to eat and people around me should not anymore be surprised by it. However, as I turn 30, I cannot be as irresponsible as I was before. Though I still go for bone marrow and creamy crab fat,  I have learned to limit my intake of these dangerous grub. Plus, I'm so proud to say that I have already included exercise in my daily habit. Yep! I have made the impossible, possible. There will be no crash diets nor quick fixes for me. I will be changing my LIFESTYLE so that I could still do what I love doing -- EAT!

That is why when I have come upon the bottles of THE GOOD JUICE, I was very grateful to have another reinforcement in going for that healthy route. There is nothing like getting "assistance" that not only tastes good but makes you feel good as well! With THE GOOD JUICE, you will be able to flush out those dirty toxins after smacking your lips at their fruity flavors! With that, I am once again ready to face a new day with my happy life as a foodie!

What do you think I was going for? A model like figure? NO! I will exercise and have a different routine so I could STILL be a food lover! And I'm sure when it comes to changing habits, you need all the help you could get!

Now THAT is where THE GOOD JUICE will deliciously come in!

THE GOOD JUICE!

Now THIS is what I need right now!

Yep... No hugs... No lovin' from the Chinese Adonis... No "you can do it" inspirational words.

I. Need. This!

When I received my stack from THE GOOD JUICE, I was so excited! It was actually my first time to detoxify and I didn't know what really to expect. 

PEN PALS (PENINSULA MANILA)

Sometime last year, I attended a KTG getogether which ended too soon for some of us that we craved to go somewhere for a nightcap. At first the choice was to go to Starbucks, but since there was not a branch in sight (imposibleh!) we just resigned ourselves to having coffee at Mcdonald's.

I know what you're thinking: Kekekwekweeeeeeng....

We don't have anything against Mcdonald's of course, but it would be nice to go somewhere a little bit special since it is rare I get to have a night out with some of the KTG ladies. Then, lo and behold, Jane of SUGAR, SPICE, and EVERYTHING NICE suggested we have our much desired ending at PENINSULA MANILA with an order of their ginormous PEN PALS. I remembered always talking about it with my BGP Marian when we were having our practicum LAST YEAR (tee hee) that I immediately agreed.

And with that, FIREWORKS!

Wohoo!

It would definitely be a SWEET and LUSCIOUS night ahead!

The Peninsula Manila lobby!

THE YAPPY BUNCH love going here for our New Year Hotel Hopping but we have never tried their Pen Pals not even once!

STAR CITY

For Andrei's week-long birthday, one of his wishes was to go to STAR CITY in order to ride the tallest ferris wheel in the country (Yep. That's what their radio advertisement claimed). Though I'm not really keen on going to the famous attraction in Roxas Boulevard on Christmas day due to the crowd, much less ride the ferris wheel (the tallest they say!!!), it is the birthday wish of my darling bunsoy and we all wanted to give him a one week celebration he will never forget.

Believe me when I say that we never expected to have fun in STAR CITY but we did!! Of course, we have accepted that it is not Disneyland, Universal Studios, nor Legoland, but since THE YAPPY BUNCH finds fun in everything we do together, we were able to appreciate STAR CITY'S own charm and have a blast in it at the same time!

Will we go back to STAR CITY? We most certainly will!

Heck, I might even ride the Ferris Wheel again!

And for those who know how I fear heights as much as Darryl getting killed in WALKING DEAD, that says a lot! He he he he!

STAR CITY!!!