Dine in Style At Luxent Hotel

It took us about a year before we were able to try the buffet at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City and this is thanks to a friend who was celebrating her birthday. As always, it is such a happy occasion to dine in a new restaurant and with good friends.

Its still a bit early when I arrive (yes, I was the first to arrive) so the place was really quiet and I was able to take photos of the place without getting strange looks from diners. The place looks nice, relaxing and inviting. Even if the lights are muted, it gives off a light and happy vibe. I like the bright painting and the lamps.

My first set. The buffet spread looked so enticing that I didn't wait for my friends to arrive. I had a cup of pumpkin soup, bread, cheese and coldcuts. I also ordered a cup of mint tea.

Second Plate. Salmon sashimi (my default food choice in hotel buffets) and kani salad. Yum! I was just finishing off when my friends arrive. Yey!

My Lovely companions in floral print. We sometimes go crazy when we dine. I mean, we do get crazy about the food but we also get crazy on what theme or clothes we should wear. Tonight's theme was something "floral."

Yummy food choices also. I fell in love with the spicy beef and spicy shrimp dishes. Per head costs about P800. Not bad.

Coldcuts, cheese and bread sticks. The spread may not be comparable to the offerings in 5-star hotels but the ones from Luxent were just as filling and quite good.

That's us. My something floral is a floral shawl! Hahaha. Its really fun to play dress-up with my friends. :)

Boodle Is More Fun In The Philippines

Today marks the 9th year of Seafood Island in the Philippines and what better way to celebrate with its very own National Boodle Day. For those who are wondering, Seafood Island was the one who popularized 'boodle" in the metropolis. Of course, this is not the usual "kamayan" but rather, a group "kamayan" of sorts. According to urbandictionary.com boodle originated from the military wherein it is called "the boodle fight or a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are on top of banana leaves. Viands and rice are ready to eat using your bare hands." 

Oliva Bistro Cafe

One Saturday morning, I found myself having brunch at Oliva Bistro Cafe. I think I may have heard of this restaurant before but since I don't usually step beyond T.Morato and Timog when in Quezon City, it is only now that I was able to dine here. Thanks to my foodie friend for fetching me at home. And I can say that I'm amazed with this restaurant which is owned by an Indian Chef who married a Filipina.

Taisho Ramen

Last Wednesday, I and some fellow foodies were invited to sample the ramen and other food offerings at TAISHO Ramen prior to its opening the following day at the Sky Garden, SM North. There seem to be a ramen-craze in the Metropolis lately or I should say, battle-of-the-ramen and that made me curious to try out the place.

The ramen house is very easy to find as its just near the entrance of The Block, and near the bridgeway towards Trinoma. Just look for the fountain.

NEW RESTO ALERT: Grub

A very interesting name for a restaurant. Okay, okay ... I admit that "grub" was not a frequently used word in my world nor my mental dictionary that after my first visit to the resto, I checked Mr. Google and searched the meaning of "grub" which I found out is a slang word that pertains to food. Wow! Thank you, Mr. Online Dictionary. ;)

I also like the "warehouse-vibe" of the restaurant.

Fried Chicken Wings. Crispy and flavorful. The dip is a secret kitchen recipe. Yum!

Moo Melt. This sandwich is love. I love beef and I love cheese. The beef and melted cheese combo on this sandwich is really delicious. You just have to eat it while its still hot and warm to fully appreciate the gooey-ness of the cheese.

The Pig Candy Melt. A bacon-wich! What a brilliant idea to enjoy your bread and cheese. Needs some potato chips on the side, too. And who doesn't like bacon? ;)

The Hot Chicks. Another winner here. I love the spicy chicken with the lettuce. Its like eating bread and chicken salad at the same time. To tell you frankly, I was hesitant to taste this at first since I can't seem to reconcile the idea of chicken pops and bread, but I know that I'll regret it if I didn't have a bite so there. Happy ending. :)

Iced Tea. They home-brew this and serve it in mason jars for single orders which I find cute. Pitcher order comes in a gallon bottle.

Grub
Ground floor ELJ Bldg
Abs-Cbn, Quezon City
* entrance near Starbucks

Moshi Koshi

This ramen-place almost escaped me because it used to be located along Shaw Blvd. near Red Ribbon. We did plan to eat there but when we found the time to do so, the place was closed already. Sadness.

Fast-forward to several months after ... I had a lunch date with my mommymates in Robinsons Galleria. And since I don't really frequent the place, its such a shame to eat in restos that have branches in other parts of the town. So when Maya suggested this newly opened Japanese Ramen Place, I readily agreed with her. And serendipity strikes again. It's Moshi Koshi. :)

Mr. Moo's Barn At Il Terrazo

I don't really have plans to go to Il Terrazo tonight but daughter texted me that there's a B1T1 lamb chops promo at Rustan's Fresh so I included a short side-trip there after having dinner somewhere nearby- which is about 2km away. I walked all the way to burn off unwanted calories--- hahaha.

Anyways, after buying the precious lamb chops, I was about to go home when I suddenly had this urge to check the new restaurants in Il Terrazo. And this is what I saw .....

Ramen Bar

I discovered Ramen Bar late last year but I forgot to blog all about it. I only dined there once and the food is quite memorable. Sadly, we don't frequent Robinsons Magnolia lately but I promise to visit again, with hubby and daughter in tow. :)

FWGP Workshop and Q Kebab

Last Sunday after attending baby Mikael's Baptismal Lunch at Saisaki Greenbelt, I went to FWGP's workshop at 47 East Hub, E.Abada Street, Quezon City (at the back of McDonald's Katipunan).

Workshop was about how to write, send proposal letter to editors and get published. It was fun although I didn't get to meet and make friends with the other participants since I arrived a bit late. Its a tough decision between Iron Man 3 and the workshop. Daughter watched the movie with cousins after lunch while I (alone) went to the workshop via MRT/ LRT2. Fast commute but lonesome nonetheless.

photo by Dino Manrique / Linus Lopez

EVENT: 2013 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) Philippine Celebration

Inviting everyone to tomorrow's celebration of World Tai Chi and Qigong Day at the Holy Family School, 66 Maginhawa Street, Quezon City. Event is from 9am- 12nn. Hope to see you there. :)

THE LAST PINE TREE, Benguet + Baguio

I haven't been to U.P. Diliman for a very, very long time and I am glad to have attended the opening of our friend's photo exhibit at the Vargas Museum. Also, hubby and I haven't been very visible to the art and literary circles lately so this is really a welcome treat for us- daughter included.

Art's Cream Gallery

Because we don't want to go home yet and because we've heard that today's temp reached 37 degrees, we opt to stay at Robinsons Magnolia until closing time. This is our first time to try the gelato at Art's Cream Gallery.

Hello Kitty Sunday

And I thought that the store only sells anime-ish stuff but ...

Its Hello Kitty Heaven !!!

Birthday Dinner At Yutaka Izakaya

February 26, 2013

Since Daughter's birthday falls on a Tuesday, and they also have C.E.M. post-test scheduled today, she can only treat her friends during snack time which is like 15 minutes. She asked me to buy different kinds of sushi  instead of pizza, which was easier to order and with FREE DELIVERY service. Oh wells, she doesn't really make requests like that so its okay. I'll go to the Japanese restaurant and order tons of sushi for her and her friends. Also, the night before her birthday, we bought some cookies and candies and chocolates as giveaways. 

Yabba Yabba Yabu

February 20, 2013

Daughter and I had a spur-of-the-moment dinner plan with C, little C and Uncle Panda today at Yabu in Robinsons Magnolia. So as soon as daughter's class ended today, we were off to Magnolia. Actually, I was dreaming of Thai food but since Uncle Panda haven't tried dining at Yabu (gasp!) yet- and also, because C is treating us (and also as an advance birthday treat to daughter) so we ended up there. Besides, I love the food at Yabu.

Food For The Soul

January 2, 2013

This was an unplanned "outing" with C. Actually, more like a super delayed visit to Monasterio de Sta Clara since we've been talking about visiting the church last November 2012. And yes, the world didn't end- yet. So we were able to visit it today. And I thank my built-in map navigator inside my head because it was my first time to visit the church also and I don't know how to go there. Hahaha. But we didn't get lost. Daughter joined us, by the way, because hubby met up with some clients and I don't want to leave daughter all alone (with the computer) in the house (which she likes!). Luckily, her tita C bribed her with food (Greeka) so she ended up with us.

Thai Food At Robinsons Magnolia

On our recent trip to Robinsons Magnolia, we saw this newly opened Thai Resto at the Foodcourt Level of the mall. This was near Gong Cha so its not really hard to miss. The decoration or overall look of the restaurant is just too minimalist. They can still do something to make the place livelier and happier.

Yabu-ness Monday

Finally! We were able to eat at Yabu without having to line-up nor get pressured to finish our meal quickly because of the long queue. Best time to dine is around 1pm, Monday. ;)

Had fun grinding the sesame seeds then adding sauce and chili powder. Also, it will distract you a bit while waiting for your food if you're that hungry- like me. Hahaha

J ordered the chicken katsu, 150g. Yum!

Mine's the pork katsu, 100g. So tender! Alas, I felt dizzy after eating. Either because -> fried or because -> pork. Must share next time. ;) We also love the unlimited rice (C had 2 cups, I think) and the unlimited cabbage. Love the sesame-mayo dressing!

This is shobe's order. I forgot to ask what it is but I guess its delicious because she finished the whole bowl.

Eat, Shoot, Share and Win

Here's another contest that I saw on FB. Happy eating!!! :)

Takoyaki

Lovers of streetfood such as fishball and squidball will surely fall in love with "takoyaki," its Japanese counterpart. However, to be able to really enjoy takoyaki, one must eat it in Japan or Bubble Tea (my nephew swears this is next to authentic). I, or we (that includes hubby and daughter) loves Kozui's takoyaki.