Princess Loves to Eat

Kabag Moments at Gloria Jeans

2010-05-03T11:03:00.001+08:00

I was never a coffee fan but for some reason, I started to have coffee breaks with my colleagues. The trio - Mhadz, Rey and Me decided one day to ditch the coffee vendo and visit Gloria Jean's at Shopwise Araneta Center. At 10:30 PM we graced the coffee shop.

Rey's birthday was coming up so he offered to treat me and Mhadz. Rey ordered the hot Chocolate Macadamian while Mhadz and I had its chiller version. The Chocolate Macadamian Chiller was at 50% off and the supposed large for Php180 was only at Php90!

Chocolate Macadamian Chiller @ Gloria Jean's

We finished our drinks and headed back to the office. After a few hours, each of us felt strange. Mhadz had to go to the bathroom, I wanted to go to but couldn't because I'm more comfortable doing it at home, and Rey had the same gastric reactions when he got home (he gets home at 12 or 1 in the morning). We were seated next to each other and laughingly, each one of us were releasing gases. LOL. Kabag moments. Only the following day did we realize that the culprit was the chocolate macadamian drinks from Gloria Jean's. Since then, we called our coffee breaks as "Kabag Moments".

My Hubby's Hobby

2010-04-05T13:20:00.000+08:00

They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Well, ehem, I am no man but food definitely helped my husband win my heart - every single day.

Here are some of the dishes my hubby made (I'm so proud!) :

Ginisang Gulay

Sweet and Sour Dory

Lomi

Beef Steak with Oyster Sauce

Dory in Butter

Aveneto Pizzeria Ristorante

2010-03-15T04:58:00.003+08:00

Aveneto was first introduced to me way back in 2004 when our Verifications Department went out for dinner at their BF Paranaque branch. When I made my initial steps inside their store I felt transported to a place in New York where the walls are made of brick and the upholstery was restaurant-ful yet homey at the same time. We ordered pasta and pizza that night and boy, I fell in love with Italian food for the very first time.

Since my first encounter with Aveneto in BF, I have "almost" visited all of their branches - Visayas Ave, Trinoma, Glorietta, SM Hypermart (just delivery though) and now their newest addition, SM Megamall (thank you Facebook for posting).

After watching the Pacquaio-Clottey fight at Araneta Coliseum, my husband and I went to Megamall to hear mass and dined at Aveneto Megamall. While hubby was in queue at the ATM, I browsed the digital store locator of SM Megamall to search for Aveneto. Too bad, the resto was recently opened thus they were not yet included in the database. And so I began to look for a security guard and asked for directions.

We found Aveneto Ristorante beside the Breastfeeding Station and Foodcourt at the lower ground level building A of SM Megamall. They are now staying at the former ice skating rink locker area, just behind the Megamall's new entertainment venue. We entered the doors and were greeted right away and escorted to our tables.

One thing different about this new branch is the ambiance. It no longer has the "feel" that the other branches have. It is more spacious and less of the brick-effect. Still, they have their painting of construction workers from New York (I think I saw the same thing at their Trinoma branch) who resembles famous actors. I have to admit, I like the new look.

We ordered Chicken Strips (Php135) with garlic mayo dip, 2 slices of New York Style Pizza (Php90 per slice), Oil Garlic pasta with Hungarian Sausages (Php245) and 2 regular iced tea (Php50 each glass). Please be reminded that they place 5% service charge on top of your bill.

Chicken Strips with Garlic Mayo Dip

Oil Garlic Pasta with Hungarian Sausages

New York Style Pizza

Our waiter was able to bring our food in less than 15 minutes. Not only that, they gave us glasses of water without us asking for it. That's customer service! We always experience having had to ask for water in other restaurants. Kudos to the waiter! :)

Aveneto Restaurant in Megamall like its other branches still has the same water-moutful taste, affordable price and great service! I hope they won't be like other restaurants who later became too much of a business-minded diner.

Aveneto, I love!

Thailand Tamarind Candies

2010-02-22T01:53:00.000+08:00

When we were kids, we enjoyed the sweet life of tootsie roll, viva, vicks, bazooka, sweet corn and the classic tamarind candies rolled in white sugar and wrapped in yellow cellophanes. I could still remember how my face would look when I get sour ones.

About three years ago, one colleague in the office introduced me to a new wave of tamarind candies - from Thailand. Unlike the tamarind candies that we used to have, the Thailand tamarind candies looked like pellets. And their taste is different, it's sour and hot at the same time. I must admit, I like this new taste better.

Although the Thailand Tamarind Candies can be a real great candy, it is costly. One small bottle could cost as much as thirty pesos. Recently though we just discovered a cheaper way to enjoy these Thailand-made candies. At the SM Supermarket, you can find these candies wrapped not in their normal plastic bottles but in a foil pack. The ones in foil pack costs half the price of the regular ones. Yehey! I finally have something to nibble on.

Breakfast at Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel

2010-02-12T10:32:00.001+08:00

Like any other hotel around Metro Manila, buffet breakfast for two was offered by Fernandina 88 Suites during our stay. Breakfast was available from 6AM-9AM at 1572, a roofdeck restaurant at the 12th floor of the hotel. From our table we could see the rest of Cubao.

I was a disappointed with their buffet table. The choices were minimal. Moreover, the meat viands were almost cooked the same way. And their hotdog? Terrible! It tastes like flour.

Click here for the rest of my review of the hotel.

I have been to a few hotels around the metro and I should say that Fernandina Suites falls on the last spot of my list.

Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel
222 P. Tuazon Boulevard
Araneta Shopping Center,
Cubao Quezon City
Trunk line: (632)911-6954
http://www.fernandina88.com.ph/
reserve@fernandina88.com.ph

inquire@fernandina88.com.ph

Hap Chan Tea Restaurant in Cubao

2010-02-08T13:24:00.001+08:00

Another Chinese Restaurant can be found in Araneta Center - Hap Chan Tea Restaurant in Alimall. My husband said that Hap Chan has the same taste and quality like Kowloon but with a hefty price. Sosyal version of Kowloon, I should say.

Friday night, the place was almost full but we managed to get a table. While waiting for our orders, tea was served to us. I am not a fan of tea, unfortunately. But I enjoy admiring tea cups and tea pots.

We ordered Yang Chow (Php200) which was good for 2-3 persons, Pancit Canton (Php185), Beef Brocoli (Php240) and two mango shakes (Php75 each).

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Beef Brocoli

Pancit Canton

They also offer Dimsum, Congee, Noodles, Chef's Choice (Steamed Fish Fillet Hongkong style, Steamed Pork Kidney and Liver), Roasts, Toppings, Pulutan and Desserts.

I like Hap Chan better than North Park and Big Buddha. Hap Chan is a Chinese Restaurant minus the MSG-taste.

Hap Chan Tea Restaurant

Ground Floor, Ali Mall

Cubao, Quezon City

Tel No. 4399325

http://www.hapchan.com/index.php?go=outlets

Seafood Island Cubao

2010-02-06T01:42:00.000+08:00

So much has happened this week and our (defunct) team decided to have dinner at Seafood Island Restaurant at Shopwise Cubao. Despedida con birthday party, we had a great time eating and bonding.

Our bosses treated us (plus I got an additional cake from them for my bday) while we had great live band music in the background. We stayed inside the airconditioned room of the pirate-inspired restaurant with abanico fans as blades of the ceiling fan.

We ordered the Boodle Feast Dapitan Pride (Php545) which was good for 3-4 people. It includes crispy shrimp, grilled tilapia, grilled squid, laing, crab, scallops, grilled liempo and rice.

Tilapia

Laing

Mr. Crab

Drinks are not included in the package so we ordered shakes (watermelon, green mango, four seasons) for Php105 each.

The servings was so big that even if we were 5 who shared the feast, there were still left overs.

Warning: For those who are allergic to crustaceans, please bring your antihistamine *wink wink*

BlackBeard's Seafood Island

Seafood Grill and Barbecue House

Unit 28-31 Shopwise Arcade

McArthur Avenue, Araneta Center,

Quezon City

Tel No. 913-8761 and 913-5701

http://www.redcrabonline.com/

Chowking Crispy Noodles

2010-01-24T01:12:00.000+08:00

For nocturnal employees like us, we normally crave for food at 5 or 6 in the morning after shift. After trying to pick between jollibee and mcdonalds, we finally made a decision to walk a bit further in araneta center and reached ChowKing.

We tried their Special - the Crispy Noodles. Pretty affordable at Php49 that comes with an 8oz drinks. Here comes our order... crispy noodles with vegetables and some soup.

It was my first time to try crispy noodles. I had a different feeling about it, as if I was eating my instant pancit canton raw. Although the experience was weird, I got really full with just that.

Affordable. Healthy (thanks to the veggies). Heavy on the stomach.

Tasa Tsina Chinese Restaurant

2010-01-17T01:26:00.000+08:00

My husband and I went to New Panaderos Street (formerly known as Kalentong) in Mandaluyong to visit our photographer. After our meeting with them, we passed by the Market Place Mall (still along Kalentong) for our breakfast and came across a Chinese fastfood/diner at their Ground Floor. The place is called "Tasa Tsina" where the walls are painted red.

The waitress approached us and gave us their menu. We browsed thru it and ordered for two Taipao (very big siopao available in Bola-Bola and Asado), 2 Beef Wanton Mami, and 2 Royal Tru Orange.

They also have value meals where you can get fried chicken with rice or chop suey with rice at Php70 only, which also includes iced tea. Since we were on a diet, we settled with less carbs.

Taipao

Beef Wanton Mami

Here's our bill:

Taipao - Php50 each

Beef Wanton Mami - Php65 each

Royal Tru Orange in Can - Php30 each

The servings? For me, dami sya. Nabusog ako kagad eh. The taste? Just the same as other chinese food restaurants. Try the Beef Wanton Mami with chili, it would taste super sarap!

Tender Bob's

2010-01-11T18:28:00.000+08:00

Last year, we first encountered Tender Bob's at SM North Edsa. The mall then was newly renovated and we checked out what new revisions were made. We found Tender Bob's at the New Bldg (third floor).

They specialize in steaks, and boy ang sarap! It's a fine dining restaurant minus the intimidation. If you are a couple, make sure you have at least Php500 in your pocket when you dine in. Their steaks would cost at least 200 pesos. Don't worry they have generous servings. Truly worth every peso! Also, try their Banana Split, you can ask that to be served after the main course. Super heavenly!

Don't go for any other drinks -- try their iced tea!

free soup. astig! ang sarap!

super beloved banana split

Dampa sa Libis

2010-01-11T00:34:00.000+08:00

Saturday night, 10PM. It was my second time to be at Dampa sa Libis. Located along C-5 near Libis, it is best reached using a cab or your own car. They have ample parking space inside and it is quite secured. Inside, there are tiangges where you can shop while waiting for your food to be cooked.

Like any other Dampa, the one in Libis has a wet market at the back where you can buy fresh produce and have them cooked.

After buying your fresh produce, you need to go to a counter where the ladies in red will weigh the things you just bought.

They have cooking charges depending on the weight of your produce.

After 30 minutes, here's our dinner at 1030PM:

Calamares

Scallops

Hipon sa Gata

Seaweed

Lapu-lapu

Liempo

Sinigang na Maya-maya

Chicken Afritada ala Santiago

2010-01-09T05:50:00.004+08:00

They say that the way to a man's heart is thru his stomach. I think the same thing applies to women, well at least on my part...

My husband is a great cook. He has his ways of making ordinary dishes into my favorites. Here's a recipe of one of the first viands he cooked for me when he was still my boyfriend.

Ingredients:

3/4 kilo of Chicken, cut
1 small pouch of Del Monte tomato sauce
4 medium sized potato, cubed
2 medium sized bell pepper, sliced
3 medium sized carrots, cubed
1 onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, diced
1/2 cup of water
Cooking oil
Ground black pepper
Salt
Bay leaf (laurel)

Procedure:

1. Heat the pan. Put some cooking oil.

2. Saute the potatoes and carrots until cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Saute onion and garlic. Wait for the onion to sweat before adding the chicken. When the chicken is golden brown, add the tomato sauce, bay leaf, ground pepper, and some salt to taste. Add water.

4. Cover the pan and let it simmer. When the chicken is tender, add the potatoes and carrots. Do not let it simmer to maintain the crispiness of the potatoes and carrots.

5. Serve.

Servings? I believe it can serve up to 6 people. The taste? Heavenly.

Try it.

JD Bakery

2009-12-31T00:54:00.002+08:00

Earlier as I was arranging the template and layout of my newest blog, I have wanted to placed the picture of a cake my husband took when we were in Iloilo. This gave me the idea of what to write about for my very first article.

Last September, I, my then-fiance and our friends went to Iloilo and Guimaras for a short vacation. We had a great time with the place and the food was just mouth-watering. Before we boarded our plane going back to Manila, we hanged out in one of the restaurants that were inside Iloilo International Airport.

JD Bakery offered pasta, blended coffee, baked goodies and sweets we were craving for. And not only do their food tastes great, it is affordable too! It was sooo good that when my mother flew to Iloilo, I had to ask her to get me the small cakes from JD Bakery.