tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82793189957153156092012-02-06T20:58:05.580+08:00and her many adventuresManila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.comBlogger1621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-69249063608402074782012-02-05T22:33:00.000+08:002012-02-05T22:33:12.186+08:00

I know Christmas was over a month ago, but I wanted to document this anyway. :-) The BF and I had our Christmas dinner at The Oakroom, at Oakwood Premiere Suites, Ortigas. The place was so Christmasy-pretty, it was almost like eating in a postcard. :-) We loved the ambiance and enjoyed the food very much. :-) We availed of a set menu care of DealGrocer. :-) Roasted Corn

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-66217714740623208942011-12-16T16:51:00.002+08:002011-12-16T16:51:31.304+08:00

It was already a little past 10 when we finished freshening up in our hotel room and arrived at the cafe for dinner. They graciously gave us a last call for orders, and we quickly browsed the menu.  The place was classy, yet rather cozy. It seemed like a place where busy executives could roll up their sleeves and enjoy the company of friends over dinner. While waiting

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-83538814003652814362011-12-11T09:49:00.001+08:002011-12-13T00:44:22.941+08:00

Thanks to a voucher from MetroDeal, we were able to book a room at the newest addition to the Genesis Resorts Group, Midas Hotel at half-off. It was a weekend we were highly anticipating, because the December stress has started to creep up on us, and it's spreading fast! Don't you just wish you could push a "pause" button sometimes and let the rest of the world wait while you take a breather? I

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-57157231420580692432011-12-06T22:03:00.001+08:002011-12-06T22:09:07.625+08:00

On the way to Lee Boutique Hotel, Tagaytay, the SLEX rush hour traffic wasn't letting up and we were in mad need of food, so we decided to go with the flow (of traffic, LOL) and have an early dinner at the Alabang area. Being from the northern part of Manila, we were really unfamiliar with Alabang! We were surprised to find that there weren't many food choices - not in ATC at least

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-75534764744513605912011-12-04T12:32:00.001+08:002011-12-04T13:10:34.783+08:00

We booked an overnight stay at a Deluxe Room in Lee Boutique Hotel using a voucher bought from Ensogo.com. The published rate for a Deluxe Room is PHP 15,000++, but opening rates are PHP 5,000++ on weekdays and PHP 6,500++ on weekends. I had seen the sign of Lee Boutique Hotel on previous visits to Tagaytay, so finding it wasn't difficult. It was along the Tagaytay Calamba Road, before the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-81379740264846785022011-11-20T23:18:00.001+08:002011-11-21T00:47:12.044+08:00

I've wanted to try Chocolate Fire for the longest time, but it took an offer from DealGrocer to get me to pay it an actual visit. The ambiance was laid-back but refined, perfect for long conversations, preferably not on the noisy side. The counters were filled with chocolates of different kinds, a feast to the eyes for a chocoholic like me! They also had quiche and

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-31381728191478655112011-11-06T20:56:00.000+08:002011-11-06T20:56:47.268+08:00

I'm no chocolate connoisseur, but I'm quite a bit particular when it comes to it. The usual Hersheys, Cadburys and M&Ms don't seem to be enough for my sweet tooth. But among the commercially available chocolates in the supermarket, KitKats are one of my favorites. When I found out they had a mint version, I got excited to try it. It was a nice surprise that they were only 107 calories per

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-76836118710316306742011-10-29T18:52:00.001+08:002011-10-29T18:52:09.168+08:00

The Chef's Table was a little bit hard to find. We were frequent visitors of Bonifacio Global City, but it was nestled away in a quieter area near South of Market. After several wrong turns, we finally found the Infinity Tower were Chef Bruce Lim founded his culinary base. I'm a BIG fan of all sorts of cooking shows. I watch them all from the cutesy Junior Master Chef to the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-82457184868597092772011-10-23T22:29:00.000+08:002011-10-23T22:31:32.431+08:00

We rediscovered this restaurant thanks to DealGrocer. Armed with coupons for their Toowoomba Topped Beef Tenderloin Fillet, we made our way to Glorietta 4 to pay a visit to the Outback. The entrance was very unassuming. The main restaurant was at the second floor, up this flight of stairs. The place was half-filled, considering it was a weeknight. It had a sort of homey feel to it - more so

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-70839949094273591042011-10-19T17:52:00.000+08:002011-10-19T18:11:39.179+08:00

Breakfast buffet wasn't included with our complimentary room, but we availed of it anyway. Breakfast buffet for Cafe Ilang-Ilang costs PHP 1000++, but we got it at 50% off thanks to our Prestige Card.  American Plate Scrambled eggs, hashbrown, waffles, fajitas. The fajitas were especially good. :-) Filipino Plate Who doesn't get comforted by Filipino breakfast food? This

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-44302342298576312852011-10-13T22:45:00.000+08:002011-10-13T22:45:36.541+08:00

During our weekend stay at the Manila Hotel, we decided to try out their other restaurants apart from Cafe Ilang-Ilang. There was an on-going event at the Champagne Room that night, so for dinner, we went to Mabuhay Palace. The Mabuhay Palace seems like such a misnomer, because instead of Filipino Cuisine which its name inadvertently implies, it serves Chinese dishes. The place itself looks

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-69325379705920551992011-10-08T12:27:00.001+08:002011-10-08T12:30:32.185+08:00

Our Manila Hotel Weekend Getaway came free with this incredible piece of (sparkly) plastic. :-) So did our buffet dinner for two at Cafe Ilang-Ilang, never mind that some.. errr, unexpected things happened afterwards (we gladly gave it another chance during our weekend there). The point is, we think we've gotten out of this card much more than what it was worth, and that's considering we

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-14273573305539193532011-10-05T15:44:00.000+08:002011-10-05T15:44:39.651+08:00

The last time we had dinner at Cafe Ilang-Ilang, before we had any inkling that it would lead to a case of food poisoning for the two of us (which the management has properly apologized for), we availed of their Prestige Card, which I'll discuss in a separate article. One of the perks of our impressive Prestige Card was a complimentary room night at Manila Hotel. The Manila Hotel Lobby

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-3452487072226853662011-10-02T13:00:00.000+08:002011-10-02T13:00:47.306+08:00

Again we have DealGrocer to thank for a great new discovery. At the heart of Bonifacio Global City is the fiery new place called Toro. The name literally has a double meaning, and tells of the concept behind the restaurant: "toro" in Spanish means "bull," and in Japanese means "tuna belly." It's a Japanese and Mexican explosion. We loved the ambiance and the attention to

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-65669064398168669972011-09-29T00:42:00.000+08:002011-09-29T03:53:07.321+08:00

After our disappointing dinner at Florabel, The BF and I just wanted to end the night with something sweet and familiar. Cinnabon was familiar, all right. We usually make a stop here whenever we gas up along SLEX for a quick sugar fix. It's one of those places that never fail to put a smile on our faces! The BF had a Pecanbon while I had a Mini Chocobon.

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-60161069831819105572011-09-24T03:39:00.000+08:002011-09-24T03:39:37.842+08:00

One night at The Podium, The BF and I decided we were in the mood for some Filipino cuisine. We headed over to Florabel to have a taste. The place itself was simple but elegant, with something like a modernized Filipino theme. We liked the ambiance. Bread was served with this delicious dip while we were waiting for our orders. Vegetable Barley Soup, PHP 160 We

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-28092345830265171312011-09-13T02:02:00.000+08:002011-09-13T02:02:43.738+08:00

It was the last day of the long weekend, and the last day we could avail of our DealGrocer vouchers for Seven Corners Buffet, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Manila. Needless to say, the place was packed! We were almost turned down. Good thing The BF was able to work his charm, hahaha!  Crowne Plaza Hotel lobby  Mezzanine  Crowne Plaza Reception  The buffet All around us we could hear people muttering, "

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-46752333209972728252011-09-10T17:26:00.000+08:002011-09-10T17:30:24.819+08:00

Let me start this post by saying that our dinner at Restaurant Verbena was nothing short of spectacular, and I'm glad we seized the opportunity to try it out through DealGrocer vouchers. The place doesn't look like your typical hotel. It's really like a country rest house - warm and inviting. The view from our table was just gorgeous, and I'm glad we arrived with a few

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-72738704146063639022011-09-06T09:00:00.000+08:002011-09-06T09:00:03.406+08:00

Our overnight stay at Joaquin's Bed and Breakfast came with complimentary breakfast for two at Joyce's Diner. The place was a cheery sight in the morning. :-) Hot chocolate on a cup of roses :-) Beef Tapa Boneless Bangus Fresh pineapple The food was good, and the servings, generous. Both the Boneless Bangus and the Beef Tapa were delicious. We each had a

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com0Tagaytay-Nasugbu Hwy, Tagaytay City, Philippines14.100887384307857 120.946812629699714.098962384307857 120.94434512969971 14.102812384307857 120.9492801296997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-17901989639116028362011-09-04T21:49:00.000+08:002011-09-04T22:39:33.841+08:00

We wanted to have dinner in Tagaytay, and on impulse, we decided to spend the night there. We found this absolutely charming bed and breakfast along the ridge, and we were so happy with our discovery! Joaquin's Bed and Breakfast charges PHP 5,800 net per room per night on weekends (PHP 3,800 on weekdays), inclusive of breakfast for two, but just when we were about to pay, we were told

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-36698684788654030252011-09-03T15:10:00.001+08:002011-09-03T15:10:53.376+08:00

We wound up our mini-vacation at Pan Pacific Hotel with the complimentary buffet breakfast that came with our room. We had it at the Pacific Lounge, at the 21st floor of the hotel, and this was our scenic view. :-) We got a good view of the bay, even if it was all clouds-and-rain. Buffet Spread Omelette Station American Plate: strawberry pancake, plain

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2Gen M Malvar, Manila, Philippines14.572556255271854 120.9843206405639614.570635255271855 120.98185314056397 14.574477255271853 120.98678814056396tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-21833198122411888982011-08-29T17:04:00.003+08:002011-08-29T18:19:42.176+08:00

The BF and I were supposed to spend the long weekend in Puerto Galera, but given the weather condition, we thought it best to stay in Manila. We consulted the ever-reliable TripAdvisor.com and chose the highest-ranked hotel in Manila, the Pan Pacific Hotel. A quick Google search and phone call later, we were booked for an overnight stay. The Pan Pacific Hotel's

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-63634337846371600972011-08-28T23:02:00.000+08:002011-08-28T23:02:36.241+08:00

When it comes to Hainanese Chicken, nothing beats Tao Yuan. And that was why in the middle of the storm, The BF and I braved the winds and paid another visit to this well-loved restaurant. We went to the original branch in Malate, Manila. What were we doing in Malate in the midst of a typhoon? Read my next post to find out. :-P  As before, despite its age, the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-66690090570849755392011-08-13T15:37:00.001+08:002011-08-13T15:41:42.425+08:00

Important Note: 12 hours after our dinner at Cafe Ilang-Ilang, The BF and I both experienced severe stomach ache, intractable vomiting and diarrhea. He had a much more severe case than I did, and our hunch is that the culprit was either the oysters or clams (we had them baked), which I had very little of, and/or the sashimi, which I didn't touch. As the next day was a working day for

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-70175001362538810882011-08-06T00:58:00.002+08:002011-08-06T01:01:00.529+08:00

Discovery Suites lobby The BF and I hardly found ourselves at Ortigas, so it was a challenge to "discover" exactly where the entrance to Discovery Suites was. When we finally found it after enduring the weekday traffic in the area, we were all too thankful to turn over the keys to the valet and get to the cozy table we knew was reserved for us. 22 Prime Foyer On the 22nd floor of

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-37892175086715137282011-07-10T15:13:00.000+08:002011-07-10T15:13:40.875+08:00

After a particularly stressful day at work for The BF, all he wanted for dinner was a big, juicy burger. Having heard a lot of good things about Murray and D'Vine at Serendra, off we went to Bonifacio Global City to give it a try. A large group of male expats seemed to be having a good time at the al fresco dining area. We opted for a quieter table inside the restaurant. On

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-57575172588157019752011-07-04T13:02:00.000+08:002011-07-04T13:02:30.414+08:00

I bought a voucher for Cafe Provencal some time ago, so when The BF and I wanted to have a catch-up dinner with a couple of old friends, we invited them to try out the restaurant with us. We had a good time and it turned out to be a pretty nice place for long conversations, with its simple hearty dishes that have a home-cooked appeal. Bread and Dip We were served two plates of bread

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-292554554870410572011-07-01T19:32:00.001+08:002011-07-01T19:32:37.660+08:00

The BF and I attended a function in Ortigas, and it ended pretty late. On the hunt for a proper dinner, we ended up at Shangri-La Mall just as most of the shops were closing. Only a few establishments remained open, and one of those was Dome Cafe. This was a stroke of luck, because our dinner turned out to be very enjoyable! French Onion Soup, PHP 130 This set the bar for the rest of

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-29326970573310740912011-06-27T18:13:00.000+08:002011-06-27T18:13:24.086+08:00

At the height of the most recent typhoon that hit our country, The BF and I decided we wanted to gorge ourselves with a buffet dinner at Vikings. We've been meaning to try it for so long but never got the chance to (remember Hooters?) until now. Our unrelenting stubbornness became apparent with the fact that we drove all the way to Mall of Asia in spite of the torrential downpour and flooded

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-84240584389367519132011-06-24T19:01:00.001+08:002011-06-28T01:14:27.678+08:00

We were deciding where to have dinner one night and were stuck in a rut when The BF asked me to surprise him. Excited at the prospect of trying something new, I wracked my brain for a restaurant I've always wanted to try, and came up with this. The BF and I had never been to Dampa, so I concluded that now was as good a time as any to pay it a visit. We drove over to Macapagal Blvd. in

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-27066182242364646992011-06-14T06:11:00.000+08:002011-06-14T06:11:10.047+08:00

Last time I dined at Chelsea, I was with girlfriends and all we ordered were salads and the like. I finally went back, this time with someone who loves good food as much as I do - The BF. Chelsea is one of the most popular restaurants at Serendra, and we had to leave our contact number so they could call us once a table was available. I appreciated this because instead of having to

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-74575372236229877242011-06-07T20:55:00.000+08:002011-06-07T20:55:49.062+08:00

I never knew Taters offered food other than popcorn - until I browsed the menus in QuickDelivery! I'm quite the delivery addict now, right? But I was really really craving for something meaty, and greasy, and basically sort of an "anti-diet day" meal, haha. And short of ordering from McDonald's or Jollibee, or any other fast food, I ordered from this newfound "restaurant." The All-Beef Steak

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-58500543178993175262011-06-04T09:52:00.000+08:002011-06-04T09:52:03.439+08:00

After working out a good two hours at the gym, The BF and I just wanted to go home and rest. We went online and skimmed through menus at Quickdelivery.ph, and finally selected Arya since we haven't tried this restaurant before. For our salad, we ordered Tabuleh (above), PHP 173.25 - minced parsley with tomato, onion and crack wheat in lime and olive oil dressing. It looked so inviting

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-69404416127850775902011-06-03T23:23:00.001+08:002011-06-03T23:24:21.861+08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I got an e-mail from one of the people behind Dealies.ph, a new website that integrates deal offers from various group-buying websites into one convenient page. I checked out the website and actually found it quite useful, so I'm sharing it with you. It's actually under Global Leads Group, a Berlin-based company involved in several e-commerce sites around the world,

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-87360385611328460832011-06-01T18:26:00.001+08:002011-06-01T18:26:16.521+08:00

Can you believe this was actually my idea? Haha. The BF and I were supposed to eat at Vikings, but it was already past 9 PM when we arrived, and they closed at 10. We decided we wouldn't be able to get our money's worth so we took a little stroll and tried to find another restaurant. Just a few steps down the road was Hooters, and I thought it looked so bright and lively. I dragged The BF

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-31367956031597177132011-05-29T11:03:00.001+08:002011-05-29T11:05:30.826+08:00

Another DealGrocer coupon brought us to this fine-dining restaurant. I actually thought it was a rugged kind of place, but the jeans-and-tank-top ensemble that I decided to wear for a casual night turned out to be inappropriate. I thought it spoke a lot about the professionalism of their servers that the maitre d' and waiters treated me with utmost courtesy and nary a hint of disdain

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-43207797507987718092011-05-26T19:16:00.001+08:002011-05-26T19:17:11.646+08:00

My aunt, a self-confessed health freak, eats sweet potatoes (kamote) on a daily basis. She says that it was advised by her heart doctor, because not only were sweet potatoes an excellent source of fiber, they could easily satisfy her carb cravings and appetite as well. I found this simple recipe on About.com. Ingredients: 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup water 1 tablespoon butter 1/4 teaspoon

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-84038192817807390232011-05-22T10:34:00.001+08:002011-05-22T15:44:40.621+08:00

After our epic meal at The Fireplace, and a delicious buffet dinner at The Market Cafe, The BF and I were convinced that Hyatt Hotel Manila was a haven of gastronomic delights. When DealGrocer offered discount vouchers for the Sunday Yum Cha Buffet at Li Li, we immediately saw it as a sign to try Hyatt's well-praised Chinese restaurant. Li Li, like most Chinese restaurants of its

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-78325904130165849182011-05-18T18:30:00.001+08:002011-05-18T19:02:26.709+08:00

This kitchen newbie made another attempt at healthy home-cooking, and this was the result - I christened it my creamy vegetable egg scramble. Ingredients: 2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium tomato, diced 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into strips about 4 fresh basil leaves, cut into small pieces about 2 teaspoons of feta cheese cubes With the extra virgin olive oil, I

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-71576818783093287532011-05-15T22:44:00.000+08:002011-05-15T22:44:08.309+08:00

I really couldn't help the title's allusion to the popular 90's song, sorry. :-P Aside from making me sing out loud, Mr. Jones also made me smile by serving me familiar food that was cooked with a delicious twist. Wicked Truffled Mac n' Cheese, PHP 395 I grinned widely at the gooey, bright orange macaroni and cheese when it was served. Topped with grated parmesan, ham, peas

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-23157348741817959632011-05-14T09:53:00.000+08:002011-05-14T09:53:27.667+08:00

After seeing the sauteed vegetables that Kriska Marie's dad cooked for her, I wanted to try a bit of healthy home-cooking myself. I don't really cook, so trying to make a dish even a simple as this made me nervous. Luckily, it turned out to be really easy - so easy that even a cooking noob like me couldn't mess it up. :-P I just chopped some onions, Baguio beans, tomatoes and bell peppers,

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-12192838855707233402011-05-10T19:13:00.000+08:002011-05-10T19:13:45.129+08:00

I was seven years old when I first set foot in Ilustrado Restaurant, Intramuros. I was a flower girl at somebody's wedding, and I was wearing a pretty cream lace dress and I had a wreath of flowers on my hair. Back then I wasn't as enthusiastic about food yet, and could only stare at my beautifully-decorated old-world surroundings in awe. Fast forward to the present. I was still

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-40898641308426543532011-05-07T13:19:00.001+08:002011-05-07T13:21:43.703+08:00

I woke up The BF at promptly 6 AM. If we were going to brave SLEX on a weekday, we had to do it early. We called to reserve on the way there, and two hours later we were being led into this enchanting room. The ambience was perfect, but the service was a bit wanting in efficiency and attention. I suppose it was because we were the only two people there at the time, and they had just

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Having a steak-lover for a boyfriend has really had its effects on me. It has converted me from a dainty eater to a full-grown carnivore. Haha. Having said that, I still can't bring myself to eat rare meat! I have tried, believe me. But blood or raw flesh or anything that reminds me of either makes me dizzy. So for me, steaks are still best had medium-well to well-done! And snooty

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-84151929232832349152011-05-05T18:42:00.000+08:002011-05-05T18:42:17.338+08:00

On our last day, we visited the Summer Palace. It was such a big, beautiful place and even if it's a bit far from the city proper, I recommend paying it a visit. We took the subway but regretted it throughout the day. The place turned out to be rather inaccessible via public transport so I suggest taking a tour, instead. We ran into a lot of tour groups while we were there. Save yourself

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-50082822527234188032011-05-05T18:17:00.001+08:002011-05-05T18:18:23.937+08:00

1. Olympic Center: Bird's Nest The site of the 2008 Olympics, the Beijing National Stadium or "Bird's Nest" as it has been nicknamed is a majestic structure to behold. Once we had seen it and taken pictures from the outside, I thought there was no point in buying admission tickets to see the inside. What was so special about a stadium after all? Thankfully, some of our companions were

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For Day 1, we signed up for a city tour. I recommend doing the same, because getting from one point to another isn't easy. 1. Great Wall of China Our first stop was the Great Wall of China, famous as the only man-made structure that is visible from outer space. It was awe-striking - it was longer than my eyes could reach, and high and sturdy and I couldn't imagine it ever crumbling

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-72180498029970789272011-04-29T08:19:00.001+08:002011-04-29T08:20:02.527+08:00

After our two days in Shanghai, we flew via China Airlines to Beijing. Our chosen hotel was Aden Business Hotel in Chaoyang District. The Beijing Olympic Center, which was one of the main attractions in Beijing, was just down the road from here, just two bus-stops away! And there was a bus stop right in front of the hotel so it was really convenient. Location was the primary advantage of

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-70249014890071890992011-04-27T17:23:00.001+08:002011-04-27T17:23:34.127+08:00

We only spent two days in Shanghai, so we weren't able to visit many attractions. But whatever time we had on our hands, we made sure to use to the fullest! Below are the sites we managed to squeeze into our tight schedule. 1. Yuyuan Garden (above) A garden-cum-shopping haven that has been in existence for over 400 years (if I remember our guidebook right!). We weren't able to explore the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-78925225837548691132011-04-15T23:47:00.000+08:002011-04-15T23:47:20.068+08:00

"Caution, Risk of Pinching Foot." Isn't the sign so amusing? :-) Spotted it at the Shanghai airport. The weather was just like ours - hot! And that's evidenced by these topless Shanghainese men on the street. Parang Pilipinas lang talaga! My friends and I checked into a 3-star hotel along Xizang Road in Huangpu. It's called "The Magnificent International Hotel" - doesn't it sound 5-

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-18651360102961289312011-04-13T22:51:00.000+08:002011-04-13T22:51:02.959+08:00

An aunt was visiting from the US, and like most balikbayans, her schedule was jampacked with activities. We only had time for a daytrip, and since none of us have ever been to Villa Escudero, we decided to spend the day there. The rates were very reasonable at PHP 1,400 per adult and PHP 700 per child (weekend rates), inclusive of welcome drink, carabao cart rides, use of outdoor

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-58739037065026666192011-04-11T13:28:00.000+08:002011-04-11T13:28:05.334+08:00

It was one of those spur-of-the-moment things. I had just finished running some errands and The BF picked me up for lunch. We had coupons for Lemuria and thought we'd use them; we called on the way to make a reservation.  All photos were taken using my Nokia business phone. It was a gem hidden in Horseshoe Village, Quezon City. The restaurant was in the same grounds as the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-55734067994181742482011-04-09T06:00:00.020+08:002011-04-09T06:00:04.067+08:00

Serenitea's Pepper Tofu (PHP 60.00) is one among my favorite Diet Day dishes. I love how it's super crispy and tasty on the outside, but chewy and mild on the inside. I always pair this with a medium cup of milk tea, 75% sugar, with a half-serving of pearls. Ahh, this is not deprivation at all! :-)

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-4724320199278904032011-04-05T19:13:00.002+08:002011-04-06T08:58:23.463+08:00

The name "Restaurant 101" did not strike me as something you'd want to call a fine-dining restaurant. A practicum venue for culinary, business, and hospitality management students of the Enderun Colleges, I thought it would be just another "Oceana" (a restaurant run by CCA): big on presentation, short on mostly everything else. However, I was glad to be proven wrong. Before we even

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-11480897204526468912011-03-31T20:51:00.000+08:002011-03-31T20:51:32.520+08:00

Guess what. I got The BF to go on a Diet Day, too. Haha. He had no choice because we decided to eat in that night, and I called QuickDelivery before he arrived. Our Diet Day meal for this evening was from Pho Bac Vietnamese Restaurant: hot and steaming Pho Bac Noodle Soup (PHP 210 each) coupled with some cold and refreshing ripe mango shake (PHP 75 each). We loved the flavorful broth and

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-12639119226806962682011-03-28T19:23:00.001+08:002011-04-06T08:56:41.149+08:00

The BF bought a voucher for this as soon as we got home from our last visit to The Crystal Room. Who could resist that word: degustation? And with 14 courses, no less! The manager, Ace, informed us that the anniversary degustation set menu was good for two. It was valued at PHP 1998 but we got it for PHP 999 from DealGrocer. After the usual bread and dips, our salads were served. Above is

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-86593589556932346492011-03-26T19:27:00.000+08:002011-03-26T19:27:45.919+08:00

I have a new project. :-) A Diet Day: for those of us who can't do it everyday. I came up with the concept of a "Diet Day" because I loved good food too much to give it up everyday. I decided, if better-disciplined individuals were on a diet six days a week and had one "cheat" day, I'd do the opposite. One diet day a week, to compensate for my six days of eating pleasure. One day, at least

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-79355053253387961122011-03-25T12:50:00.002+08:002011-03-25T13:49:59.666+08:00

This is an entry for: The Diet Day Blog and Table For One It was a pretty tame day at work and I didn't have much to do. I snuck away to the mall and wandered through the quieter areas. This restaurant was at the ground floor of One Adriatico Place Residences, a development by Robinson's Land right beside the relatively new Midtown Wing of the Robinson's Place mall.  

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-84585339011984217862011-03-20T02:52:00.002+08:002011-03-20T02:56:18.470+08:00

I got two coupons from Ebay for dinner buffet at the Hotel Intercontinental, Manila at half the price. I was ecstatic! It seemed like such a great deal. The moment The BF and I found ourselves a free evening for dinner, I persuaded him to take me there. His first reaction was, "Cafe Jeepney? That's the name of the restaurant?!" I knew he'd find it corny! Which was why I omitted that part

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-73959071353881600372011-03-19T06:41:00.024+08:002011-03-19T09:30:02.689+08:00

Related Post: Food For The Grads at Ninyo

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-77283123943386159562011-03-16T23:57:00.000+08:002011-03-16T23:57:34.202+08:00

I remember reading a number of not-so-good reviews about this place, so I wasn't crazy about trying it. But I'm glad The BF put his foot down and decided he wanted us to have lunch here! You have to understand where we're coming from - we've long been crazy over garlic. So that makes us more than a teensy bit biased. But really, the moment I first heard about this place (before I read the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-61983553791419164082011-03-04T23:13:00.001+08:002011-03-04T23:14:14.072+08:00

I've wanted to visit Mercato Centrale since Anton of OurAwesomePlanet first announced its opening, but being very busy with work, The BF and I only got the chance to go recently. Was it everything I had hoped it would be? The venue was great because there was an easily accessible parking lot (just a vacant lot actually, but it serves its purpose), and all the stalls were in tents so I didn't

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-59237078500038282011-02-28T23:01:00.000+08:002011-02-28T23:01:45.922+08:00

It was a special night for us and we wanted to celebrate it at an equally special place. The Fireplace at Hyatt Hotel had always been in our list of must-try restaurants, so we decided that this was the day we'd fulfill that certain food fantasy. The staff were all-smiles as they ushered us in and led us to a nice table at the center of the restaurant. Only two other tables

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-66077361763177720882011-02-25T11:05:00.000+08:002011-04-06T08:56:57.147+08:00

We were late. Very late. The Crystal Room was open for lunch from 11 AM to 2 PM everyday, but by 2 PM I had just gotten out of a meeting. I called the restaurant and asked if we could make it before they closed, but guess what - they said they'd wait for us! Now that's what I call exceptional service. We were met by the manager at the door, and led into this beautiful sight of white and

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-1891949255655598622011-02-23T00:33:00.000+08:002011-02-23T00:33:13.488+08:00

After our satisfying Chinese dinner at Henry's Place, we wanted something sweet to cleanse our palates with. As our fortune would have it, just a few steps behind the restaurant, we found this charming new cafe. Sweet Bella is the "offspring" of Melo's Steakhouse, which was right beside it; the owners are father-and-daughter. I was drawn in by all the pinks and butterflies! And look

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-67953019940683952822011-02-16T23:18:00.000+08:002011-02-16T23:18:02.813+08:00

From the outside, there's no hint of anything Chinese-y in this place. No lanterns, no red and gold decor. I almost couldn't believe this was a Chinese restaurant. One of the first things I noticed was that it looked like a very small place. The first floor could only house a couple of tables, but thankfully the upstairs was more spacious. Still all beiges and whites and greens - no reds!

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-24375783954281673212011-02-11T23:05:00.000+08:002011-02-11T23:05:50.060+08:00

We were at MOA and were tired of our usual dining places. We usually picked a restaurant along the balcony that faces Manila Bay, so we decided to try one that was just a little distance off the that strip this time. We ordered a sampler plate of three of their appetizers: Kofta, Falafel and Hummus (PHP 210, above). These were served with warm pita bread. A must-try is the Kofta, savory

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-61325489477590293632011-02-07T20:31:00.000+08:002011-02-07T20:31:32.343+08:00

Related post: Where to Go on Valentine's Day - Restaurants 1. Andanita Taj of Tagaytay (above) A quaint little inn hidden away from the populated Tagaytay strip, and with an even better, unobstructed view of the Taal Lake. Rooms go from PHP 2800 to PHP 9500 a night, with free breakfast and short massage for two. 2. Punta de Fabian Resort, Baras, Rizal This wasn't easy to find, but

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-46882697571716857942011-02-01T22:28:00.000+08:002011-02-01T22:28:33.921+08:00

Few things are more romantic than trying something new with your loved one. It's also one of the best ways to strengthen your relationship. For two and a half years, The BF and I have been going on food adventure after food adventure together, and we've shared a lot of laughs, rants, stories and bloopers that have helped form our relationship into what it is now. We've not only grown even

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-82067421888211689662011-01-31T00:42:00.000+08:002011-01-31T00:42:10.663+08:00

We obviously took a liking to Newport City. We were back to do some more exploring - food-wise, at least. This was the third branch of Mr. Kurosawa, the first two being in Eastwood and Trinoma. I remembered liking Sumo Sam, its "sister restaurant," so I was pretty sure this was going to be good as well. The BF was initially not too keen on it - mostly because he had been wanting to try

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-38874081925193528952011-01-26T00:24:00.001+08:002011-01-26T00:25:34.411+08:00

The BF and I are both proud holders of BFF cards, and Fish & Co. is a restaurant we frequent. I'm so glad they're having this promo! We'll be checking it out for sure. I wonder 'til when it will run?

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-11989475922172832402011-01-24T19:26:00.001+08:002011-01-24T19:28:15.867+08:00

We had just had dinner at Parmigiano Pizzeria Ristorante and wanted to cap the night with something sweet. Right below the famous new party place, Republiq, Cafe Republiq's sign and facade was definitely eye-catching. We were lured right in. The interior, with its predominantly dark furnishing, was modern, elegant, and out of the ordinary. The BF and I both thought it looked like a

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-37459946514425674342011-01-20T13:21:00.000+08:002011-01-20T13:21:59.190+08:00

On a date night, The BF and I found ourselves making our way to Newport City Mall for a change. This was one of the few restaurants which didn't ring a bell to us, and it looked inviting enough, so we decided to try it. While waiting for our orders, we were served warm bread with olive oil and garlic vinaigrette, and a sort of creamy tomato salsa. Loved the bread - crunchy on the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-92208470256630816952011-01-07T19:48:00.000+08:002011-01-07T19:48:02.945+08:00

One of my New Year's resolutions is to eat more veggies - here's me getting to it! :-) Cafe France, formerly Delifrance, has a great Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad. Healthy but delicious. I'll try to have a "vegetarian day" at least once a week. I've hit the 130-lb mark and it's time to get back in shape! :-D What about you? Any New Year's resolutions? :-)

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-691132431259057252011-01-02T07:54:00.003+08:002011-01-02T08:59:23.961+08:00

Belated holiday greetings to everyone! :-) A friend and I stayed overnight at Canyon Cove Beach Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas for some much-needed R & R over the holidays. It was about a three to four-hour drive from Manila (about an hour from Tagaytay) - traffic was thankfully not that heavy when we went. We had reserved a room in advance - we got a Superior Room with twin beds. The

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-74177193685190659712010-12-24T01:10:00.000+08:002010-12-24T01:10:01.874+08:00

It was cloudy, with a slight drizzle, and The BF was away attending to something. I decided it was the perfect time to use the coupon that was given to me as gift - a coupon for a full-body massage at "the only five-star resort hotel in Manila," Sofitel. Le Spa is Sofitel's very own zen zone. The receptionist attended to me immediately and asked me to take a seat without any fuss over my

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-53936184718238505432010-12-19T12:52:00.001+08:002010-12-19T12:53:15.603+08:00

At first glance, there seemed to be nothing at all special about this brown, plain-looking, dome-shaped piece of bread. That opinion of mine changed, however, at first bite. This is a coffee bun from Roti Mum, allegedly the best coffee bun there is in Singapore. I wouldn't know about it being the best there, but I do think it's the best I've tried here. I've tried the ones in Kopi Roti,

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-86350019645065322662010-12-16T07:48:00.000+08:002010-12-16T07:48:51.837+08:00

PHP 888 nett/person Lunch or Dinner Buffet Related post: Corniche Buffet at the Diamond Hotel Enjoy the lunch or dinner buffet at Corniche for only PHP 888 nett/person until December 19, 2010. For reservations call (632) 528-3000 ext. 1121 Conditions: Prior reservations required May not be combined with any other discount or promotion May not be availed during Thursday and Friday

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-49850559636630596312010-12-16T06:44:00.003+08:002010-12-16T07:50:34.816+08:00

The BF had a tiring day at work and wanted to unwind. I got in the car thinking we were going some place ordinary, but he determinedly took me to Diamond Hotel instead. "I want to eat some place nice," he told me. Fine by me, of course. :-) The Diamond Hotel is one of our favorite places, because this was where we had dinner on our first Valentine's Day together. Aside from that, they have

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-75285673509668301412010-12-11T16:34:00.001+08:002010-12-11T21:32:50.288+08:00

We were supposed to eat somewhere else - we had coupons to Henry's Place which was in the same area. But once we've parked at Burgos Circle, and started walking towards the former, the sign caught our eye and we immediately halted. "It's L'Entrecote!" The BF exclaimed, and we were both suddenly in the mood for steak more than for Chinese. L'Entrecote (pronounced "Lahn-tre-coat") had a

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-46933544939117092402010-12-03T22:16:00.003+08:002011-05-06T23:41:05.775+08:00

It took us quite a number of wrong turns and SOS phone calls to find the place, but in the end it was most definitely worth it. The subject of our memorable degustation experience somehow found itself popping up in our conversations weeks after our meal - and even now we still occasionally talk about it, always with nothing but fondness and a craving to do it all over again. The Goose

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-27809401616901435902010-11-27T13:25:00.009+08:002010-11-27T19:24:17.032+08:00

Casa Armas, Malate was nominated as "Best Spanish Restaurant" in the recently concluded Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets Awards 2010. Based on our positive dining experiences in this area before (see the links right below), we decided to brave the navigational and parking challenges and give it a try. Directions are found at the end of this post.Related Posts:Menu: Antiques and Paella - La

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-35748134363812767482010-11-19T18:02:00.005+08:002010-11-19T18:20:07.899+08:00

One fine day, we found ourselves ditching our planned movie date and going for a much more relaxed lunch instead. The scene: perfectly blue sky, calm waters, elegant white yachts lounging lazily by the dock, a touch of greenery, and the two of us, watching everything, fat burgers and fries in hand.We were in the Harbor Square branch of Army Navy. I think that among the restaurants in this

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-87379038989489940152010-11-14T19:02:00.005+08:002010-11-14T19:43:12.139+08:00

Sonya's Garden has long ago made it into the list of must-sees in Tagaytay City. The all-in-one restaurant, spa, and bed-and-breakfast has apparently not lost its charm.The BF and I wanted to enjoy a satisfying dinner during our weekend in Tagaytay, and Sonya's Garden immediately came to mind. It was only a fifteen to thirty-minute drive from Casa de Carlo.I love that Sonya's combines the

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-75172281724577840032010-11-03T17:23:00.006+08:002010-11-03T18:25:17.953+08:00

"When will we get another opportunity like this?" I asked The BF. I was pertaining to the past weekend, when both of us found ourselves with two consecutive days absolutely work-free. "You're right, we can't be sure. Let's go," he readily agreed to my suggestion to spend it in Tagaytay. And so off we drove on a super spontaneous roadtrip, with no pre-booked rooms or reservations whatsoever. I

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-55955458740289333832010-11-01T09:24:00.005+08:002010-11-01T11:40:16.955+08:00

Our Fun Chipipay Date at MOA - Part 1: Big Daddy's ChickenA date isn't a date without a sweet ending! I'd been to Chocolat several times before with my friends, but for The BF, it was the first time. He was so surprised to see that most of their cake slices were priced below PHP 100. :-)We ordered Death By Tablea and Chocolate Hazelnut, their top two best-sellers. We're very mababaw, so watching

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-51970829791521228242010-10-27T22:40:00.008+08:002010-11-01T11:39:43.210+08:00

Sometimes, cheaper is just funner! I wanted to give our credit cards a break so I treated The BF to a fun, cash-only, "chipipay" date at the Mall of Asia. It was a success. :-)Our Fun Chipipay Date at MOA - Part 2: ChocolatI read about Big Daddy's Chicken's Mall of Asia opening at Brian Ong's blog, and it sounded like a yummy concept so I wanted to try it. It took us a while to find it, but we

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-82509611347572831312010-10-23T22:18:00.007+08:002010-12-11T21:32:50.302+08:00

We strode into Bonifacio High Street with a purpose: to use the Clawdaddy's Voucher that we bought from Ensogo. As it was our first Ensogo purchase, we were excited to see if it would indeed be a good deal, if there was a catch somewhere, or if it was a complete scam altogether.Fortunately, the first was true. As soon as we had settled on a table, The BF informed our server that we had a voucher

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-26058098034809734242010-10-17T18:56:00.005+08:002010-10-17T19:48:42.399+08:00

I thought something had gone wrong. The BF sounded anxious when he called me one evening. "Do you have a Paypal account?" he asked me urgently. I replied that I did. "There's this discount voucher at Ensogo.com for Clawdaddy's! It's ending soon. Can you please buy one for us? I don't have a Paypal!"And that was how we got to enjoy our PHP 700 discount voucher (which had cost us only PHP 280) from

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-61545330788510573582010-10-13T09:58:00.009+08:002010-10-13T19:17:29.527+08:00

The first thing you'd notice upon entering the restaurant were the photos lining both sides of the hallway. The likes of President Noynoy Aquino and his - girlfriend or ex? - Shalani Soledad, former presidents Ramos and Arroyo, and a multitude of celebrities, from Gloria Diaz and Gloria Romero to Shaina Magdayao and Erich Gonzales have all visited the restaurant at one time or another. After all,

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-63154790251344167612010-10-11T17:32:00.006+08:002010-10-11T18:04:20.772+08:00

Seems like I'm discovering something new in this mall every week, and I'm loving it! Another weekend shopping trip brought me to Robinson's Place Manila, and I literally gaped when I saw the newly-opened stall.Lots of free-tasting opportunities! I sampled just about everything they offered me. Aside from their best-selling Nama chocolates which I had always liked, I also found their fruit bar

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-24153440640815158832010-10-08T17:38:00.007+08:002010-10-08T18:26:17.853+08:00

When we're looking for good food, the most frequently pronounced names are Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French; very rarely does Swiss Cuisine get the limelight. But the only two Swiss restaurants I've tried so far, Vieux Chalet in Antipolo, and now, this, have given me such unforgettably amazing gastronomic experiences, leading me to think that the Swiss are severely underrecognized. The BF and I

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-1926380398792026502010-10-06T20:35:00.007+08:002011-05-07T13:31:44.726+08:00

This is my second entry for Table for One. I was in Trinoma, having just set an appointment for a skin treatment at Belo Medical Group. I was a bit nervous while waiting for the next available slot which was still a couple of hours hence, so I decided to treat myself to a hearty lunch.I strolled around and Sumo Sam was the first restaurant that beckoned to me, and so I went with my instincts.

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-88585195450997083752010-09-12T07:42:00.004+08:002010-09-12T09:08:14.439+08:00

Busy as he is with work these days, The BF and I grabbed the opportunity to spend some time together when we found a vacant spot in his schedule. Dinner had to be somewhere special, because we hadn't seen each other in days - we're cheesy like that - so we chose a restaurant that looked perfect for an intimate dinner: Zuni Restaurant and Bar, located at the ground floor of Greenbelt 5.Zuni

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-6889516174896409892010-09-07T21:22:00.007+08:002010-09-07T22:04:38.940+08:00

Okay, this doesn't count as an entry for my Table for One series, because there were actually two of us (though really just one-and-a-half appetites!), but I couldn't resist putting in that title. Haha.I went to pick up my younger cousin from school a few days ago, and we decided to have lunch somewhere nearby. I remembered hearing about this restaurant from some friends, so I brought her here,

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-44821855976119549932010-09-03T09:56:00.004+08:002010-09-05T10:31:20.058+08:00

This is my first entry for Table for One.I've been hearing about the dining scene along Maginhawa St. in Diliman, Quezon City for a while, but never tried to go there until now. Partly because I try to avoid places without actual parking spaces (stereotypical female driver right here), and partly because it was pretty far for me. But as this was my first foray into independent dining, I decided

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-1271033111626434222010-09-03T09:31:00.007+08:002011-03-25T13:49:32.382+08:00

I remember an episode from Sex and the City which was about exactly this: eating alone. More specifically, eating out alone. For most of us, it's unnerving and somewhat embarrassing to have nobody to talk to or even just look at throughout the course of a meal. I've always considered myself as a semi-introvert - I like sitting quietly by myself, lost in my own thoughts; but when I'm out in public

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-75208133797127329762010-08-22T09:36:00.003+08:002010-08-22T10:03:55.490+08:00

If you haven't yet, I highly recommend that you do.At PHP 120 each, there are plenty of varieties to choose from. My favorite is the Cookie Dough Duo: cookie dough ice cream sandwiched in two chocolate chip cookies and rolled in chocolate chip cookie crumbs, with a big chunk of cookie dough at the center. This is ultimate comfort translated into food. I order this every single time we go to

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-40353764173268715472010-08-15T17:37:00.009+08:002010-12-07T22:11:00.101+08:00

The BF and I made another accidental discovery. I wanted to try Heritage Cafe and Restaurant at the newly opened Hotel Intramuros, so we headed to the area. But when we got there, it turned out it was just a small space in the lobby of the small hotel - didn't look much like a cozy place to eat in - and their lunch buffet was almost finished, too. So we explored the area and saw a newly opened

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8279318995715315609.post-82973938784852721422010-08-13T19:18:00.005+08:002010-08-13T20:05:07.363+08:00

"Hmm, do you want to eat somewhere else?" I asked The BF when we saw the restaurant facade. We had planned to have dinner here but from the outside it didn't really look anything extraordinary. "No let's just eat here, we're here na eh and I'm hungry," The BF replied. Despite our (my) hesitation, we were received warmly by the staff and seated at a cozy table. The creative menus were handed to us

Manila Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14099246556873546938noreply@blogger.com4