tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20379236303974434192026-06-09T02:44:08.528-04:00dekaphobe.com | Food, Travel, and Lifestyle BlogThe food, travel and lifestyle blog with a quirky name.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1021125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-86182149760704341822025-12-31T17:49:00.000-05:002025-12-31T17:49:00.577-05:00The Best Things I Ate in 2025It's been years since I have written any blog post. Life has been quite different for me in the past several years but I'm still very much a foodie (if you follow me on my Instagram - it's still filled with food photos). This year seemed quite long - it has challenged and rewarded me at the same time. But we are not here for anything deep. We are here for food. :)Here are the best things I Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-52872739084629010542021-02-04T18:26:00.005-05:002021-02-05T23:46:50.160-05:00The Garlic at New Smyrna Beach FloridaI have visited sunny Florida more than once but this is the first time that I will be able to share anything worthy of a blog post. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of foodie spots at The Sunshine State, I just feel like I need to explore more places that are worthy of sharing here. However, it feels like a mortal sin to not share about my dining experience at The Garlic in Florida.The Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-52454819114384465822021-01-13T17:20:00.007-05:002021-02-05T23:48:39.955-05:00Dinner at The Black Sheep in ManassasNorthern Virginia is starting to become a culinary hotspot that driving to Washington D.C. for good food. As much as I love traveling long distances for delicious food, I also constantly search for amazing food spots in my area. One of the newly-opened places that we discovered and were blown away with is The Black Sheep Restaurant located at the Farm Brew Live campus. Located inside Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-70946351916310321142020-11-05T00:04:00.007-05:002021-02-05T23:49:58.261-05:00Breakfast at Becca Restaurant and Garden Since my last blog post was about a dinner experience, I'm back to add another breakfast/brunch experience and maybe eventually turn this food and travel website into a brunch review blog. LOL. For our short trip to Virginia Beach, we stayed at The Historic Cavalier Hotel. Completed in the 1920s, this hotel is known to be the accommodation of old Hollywood stars and several U.S. Presidents. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-4846233286374869962020-10-30T11:28:00.009-04:002021-02-05T23:51:22.881-05:00Orion's Roof at Virginia BeachStaying home for months and not traveling had provided us the opportunity to get creative in planning for a quick getaway to take advantage of what was left of the summer heat before cold autumn takes over. Because I haven't really gone to the area for non-work reasons, we decided to drive down to Virginia Beach. Driving from Northern Virginia to Virginia Beach takes around three hours or more, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-51574898757487432182020-10-19T18:31:00.006-04:002021-02-05T23:53:09.354-05:00Weekend Brunch at Trummer'sDuring the past few months, a lot of places in my area started to reopen and attempt to return to normal, somehow. One of the places that I was able to visit recently is Trummer's located in Clifton, Virginia. Trummer's (formerly called Trummer's on Main) was recently awarded as the winner of Upscale Brunch of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. I wasUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-82486963758414580662020-09-24T12:51:00.136-04:002020-09-24T21:52:41.477-04:00Ruby Slipper Cafe in New OrleansI was fortunate to be able to travel to several cities in the U.S. last year and see places that I haven't been to before. Since I wasn't able to travel anywhere this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought that sharing the places that I visited last year would be a good way to motivate myself that things will get better and hopefully get to revisit these places when things return to normal Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-46479877226747094832020-08-25T14:52:00.000-04:002020-08-25T14:52:21.194-04:00Instant Pot Arroz Caldo (Filipino Rice Porridge) It's been a while since I shared a recipe - or basically anything at all, but here I go again and hopefully I get to be more consistent with blogging. The past few years have made me more comfortable in the kitchen and have accumulated amazing kitchen gadgets that make my life a lot easier. One of the newest kitchen equipment that I'm crazy about is the INSTANT POT!For those who are Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-52317147310806874222020-06-09T17:08:00.001-04:002020-06-09T17:11:36.093-04:00Black-Owned Food Businesses in Northern VirginiaThe past week has been tumultuous as communities here in the United States have come together to protest the injustices in the system. At the same time, we are also fighting a pandemic, COVID-19, which has affected the entire globe. As many food businesses have been affected by the state orders, I would like to help in my own little way by creating a list of black-owned food businesses in Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-65389896550856331092020-06-02T15:13:00.000-04:002020-06-02T15:13:26.741-04:00Hello!
Hello!
I know it's been a long while but I'm blogging again!
A lot has happened in the past few months that it felt like I had to return to doing things that I love, and blogging is one of them.
I've been doing some changes on the backend so you may notice a simpler layout.
I hope you are staying safe and healthy, wherever you are.
-Michy
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-90501229246143995562019-01-14T10:54:00.000-05:002019-01-14T11:01:20.740-05:00Magnolia Bakery Opens in Manila as M Bakery #MagnoliaBakeryManila #MBakery
Last August, Magnolia Bakery, one of the most iconic dessert shops in New York City, opened its first location in Manila as M Bakery. Magnolia Bakery has numerous international locations including South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, and Qatar but the Manila location is its first in Southeast Asia.
Famous Banana Pudding
Magnolia Bakery is known for its classic American Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-15395744659698950622019-01-09T23:52:00.000-05:002019-01-09T23:52:09.902-05:00Ooma Modern Japanese Food in SM Megamall
Whenever I'm in the Philippines, there are two cuisines that I usually stuff myself with: Filipino food (obviously) and Japanese food. One of these popular Japanese restaurants that I only got to try recently is Ooma by The Moment Group, the same group that brought my favorites, Din Tai Fung and Manam.
Ooma is a modern Japanese restaurant concept in collaboration with Chef Bruce Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-25182676092673755482019-01-04T09:30:00.000-05:002020-06-02T16:28:26.280-04:00Momofuku CCDC in Washington DC
There are a lot of restaurants that I want to try in Washington DC but on top of my list is Momofuku in CityCenterDC. Momofuku CCDC is under the Momofuku restaurant group founded by Chef David Chang, better known for his Netflix show "Ugly Delicious".
I reserved via OpenTable for late dinner. I highly recommended reserving in advance as the restaurant gets really packed, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-82741950344622694642019-01-01T01:00:00.000-05:002019-01-01T01:00:01.382-05:00Happy New Year!
HELLOOOOO EVERYONE!
I'm back to blogging this 2019!
My apologies for not updating this blog for months. Life happens. 2018 has been full of challenges but sprinkled with lots of fun and adventures.
I hope 2019 will be a better year for all of us.
Happy New Year!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-63780910691911522252018-07-07T23:56:00.001-04:002018-07-07T23:56:22.908-04:00Pho 2000 in Ho Chi Minh City
During our short trip at Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, we got to dine at one of the popular pho restaurants in the city: Pho 2000 across Ben Thanh Market.
We went to the original Pho 2000, which is located above Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The other branch is located a block away from the original branch.
What made Pho 2000 popular is because former U.S. President Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-75000944942503098822018-06-18T18:00:00.003-04:002018-06-18T20:03:31.803-04:00Rustic Mornings by Isabelo
Six years ago, I went to Isabelo Garden Restaurant for one of the most memorable dinners I ever had. On the same year, Portia Dee Baluyut (the owner) opened Rustic Mornings to cater to walk-in customers during the day while keeping Isabelo Garden open for dinner and for reservations only. Eventually, the owner closed Isabelo Garden and focused on Rustic Mornings.
I remember Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-85253444422228206212018-06-12T23:43:00.001-04:002018-06-13T14:03:40.055-04:00Tony
I wish I know the exact words to describe how I felt when I heard the news that you were gone. I keep on wishing that it was a horrible joke, but at the same time, I have to accept the truth.
Tony, why?
I cannot remember when I started watching your shows, but I remember you drinking a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen while eating sizzling sisig in Pampanga and lechon in Cebu. OnUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-18932516137471751912018-05-31T23:30:00.000-04:002018-06-01T00:13:21.467-04:00Dinner at Mamou 3.0
My first attempt to dine at Mamou 3.0 wasn't successful: my friend who called for reservations received a confusing text message that was supposed to ask us if we wanted to reserve for the first or second sitting for dinner. Long story short, we went to another restaurant serving ribs instead.
This second attempt was a better experience, although I wasn't sure if my friends walkedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-541010056452276452018-05-27T00:40:00.000-04:002018-05-31T22:13:17.664-04:00Elait: Rolled Ice Cream with a Heart
When I went back to Manila for vacation, I was looking forward to try not only restaurants that I haven't visited before, but also food stalls that serve interesting food. And one type of food that I'm always interested in is ice cream. That's why when I saw Elait, it wasn't difficult to choose this place to eat dessert.
I have a deep appreciation for made-to-order ice Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-39844202604949953202018-05-18T21:11:00.000-04:002018-05-31T22:12:51.584-04:00Vanderlust Bistro + Patisserie in Tomas Morato
My friend Lovelee and I met up for a cozy dinner at Vanderlust Bistro + Patisserie in Tomas Morato area. This small restaurant was inspired by the owners' travels to Europe, hence the diverse European offerings - from savory dishes to the desserts.
The ground floor serves as the bar and cafe while the mezzanine floor is mostly used as the dining area. While waiting for my Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-14736979200885680402018-04-26T18:41:00.003-04:002018-04-26T18:41:42.832-04:00The French Crepe Company + Wanderlust Ice Cream in Los Angeles
During my short trip to California, my friend and I drove to Los Angeles for a weekend trip. This was my first time in L.A. so I was excited to do tourist stuff. Fortunately, I was able to try to visit some foodie spots in between.
The Grove in LA
After doing an early morning trek to the Griffith Observatory, we went to The Grove at Farmers
Market for brunch. The Grove is Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-3643210521735654092018-04-11T00:53:00.001-04:002018-04-11T00:55:24.574-04:00Bonding at the Thai BBQ Original Restaurant in Manila
After a series of conversation on where to have dinner for our small reunion, my college friends and I decided to dine at Thai BBQ Original in Shangri-La Plaza.
Thai BBQ Original is a restaurant brand from the United States with branches around Los Angeles area. Although there are several Thai restaurants in Manila, the cuisine was not popular as Filipinos prefer sweet more often Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-64038852169483180442018-03-31T00:43:00.000-04:002018-04-03T00:44:14.597-04:00Home Cooking 101: Java Japanese Curry by House Foods
Let me share something with you: there are only three types of curry that I like - Filipino, Thai, and Japanese. It is probably because of my weak tolerance for spicy dishes, but I'm currently improving, thanks to that someone who force feeds me spicy food. :P
Java Curry, along with Vermont Curry and Kokumaro Curry, is a product of House Foods Corporation in Japan, one of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-24495624566535897572018-03-23T14:32:00.000-04:002018-03-23T14:32:04.805-04:00iDessert By Jean-Philippe in San Diego
My friend and I were walking along Little Italy one night and stopped by this colorful dessert shop named iDessert by Jean-Philippe.
Photo from iDessert website
iDessert serves a variety of desserts: gelato, sorbets, crepes, and the chef's own creation of Dessert, which is made up of meringue crust, gelato, flavored cream, sauce, and other toppings.
The place has Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2037923630397443419.post-23622545032807618182018-02-25T00:21:00.002-05:002018-02-25T00:21:39.273-05:00Dapo at Tisa in Marikina City
A few days on vacation in Manila and I was still craving for delicious Filipino food, so my friend decided on taking me to one of the restos along Lilac Street in Marikina for dinner. Unlike most establishments in the area, Dapo at Tisa has parking spaces, which I liked.
Dapo at Tisa was almost full even on a rainy weeknight, a good sign for me.
Pakbet
We were Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0