I used to do this year-end survey in my old blog, and I thought it proper to continue with this little tradition. I didn't think I'd be able to dig this up because my old blog shut down last year. Or so I thought. When a friend mentioned on Twitter that she planned on answering the survey as well, I tried Googling for my blog archives. What do you know, my old blog is alive after all! I won't link it though, some things are best left in the past. :) Maybe someday.
Anyway, with this survey, you get an idea of how my 2013 went:
What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
- Successfully bake a banana cake.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Don't make 'em. But I crossed off some of the items in my list of 2013 goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
- No, but both my nieces turned one this year!
Did anyone close to you die?
- Yes. My aunt, Nanay Juliet passed away in June.
What countries did you visit?
-Vietnam.
What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
-More stamps in my passport. A more stable income, and a steady fitness routine.
What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-June 3, 2013. My life took a detour I didn't expect.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
-My baking wasn't actually half-bad!
What was your biggest failure?
-Small stuff. like keeping my place neat. hahaha - This has been it for the last half-decade.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
-Nothing major. My good ol' reliable acid reflux.
What was the best thing you bought?
-My Rebelle flats, Joan & Klaire camou tote, MAC lipsticks. :) Oh, and my BB Dakota leather jacket I got on sale for only 2k. Score! And the shopping haul I got from Pam Quinones's closet sale. (Is it obvious I'm a shopaholic?)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
-Everyone who helped after Yolanda.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
-JANET NAPOLES.
Where did most of your money go?
-Food. Bills.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
-Vietnam with Jay and his family. Coron!
What song(s) will always remind you of 2013?
- Gravity, Daylight, Sad.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? --Sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- People say thinner. I have no idea.
iii. richer or poorer? --Break-even.
What do you wish you'd done more?
-Exercise is the permanent answer to this question.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
-Eat.
How many one-night stands?
-Zero.
What was your favorite TV program?
-Orphan Black, Scandal, House of Cards, Suits, The Blacklist, Revenge, 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie, Top Chef, Master Chef, Person of Interest, and Mistresses.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
-Nope
What was the best book you read?
- Every Day by David Levithan and Falling Together by Marisa Delos Santos
What was your greatest musical discovery?
-None. I'm quite sad about this, actually. I didn't listen to new music that much this year. But I like Katy Perry's new album.
What did you want and get?
- Hmmm. Let me get back to you on that. But I was really lucky in promos and giveaways. Won three blog/online promos this year!
What was your favorite film/s of this year?
- Flight, The Great Gatsby, Ekstra, Transit, On the Job.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
-26, dinner with my mom.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
-A dive. One more trip abroad. Brady.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
-Went semi-corporate because of my new company's dress code. My feet hating me for it (no more sandals).
What kept you sane?
-My journals, books, TV series, and Jay.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
-Bianca King (her home) and Agoo Bengzon.
What political issue stirred you the most?
-PDAF Scam.
Who did you miss?
-Always, my dad.
Who was the best new person you met?
-The whole editorial team. :)
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
- Leave no room for regret, just acknowledge that sometimes, you make poor decisions. Be glad you have the power to change them (October 2013).
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
-"Lagi kang mukhang pleasant. Parang hindi ka nagagalit."
-"Continue being the poster girl for the editorial team! Achieve! *sparkles*"
The most touching experience you've had this year?
-My last visit to Nanay in the hospital.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I stuck to my responsibilities.That I didn't (well, haven't) crack under pressure.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
-Procrastinating, and not thinking about my decisions that much.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- "Oh this road is long, this road is wide. It takes more than luck to last the ride. It takes strength and it takes courage to survive."
Was 2013 a good year for you?
- No.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- Dinner at Castaway Island, Coron with Jay and Nins. Talking to my 96-year-old grand-aunt.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
-Leaving the office at 3am.
Where were you when 2013 began?
- At home, inhaling smoke and jumping like a jellybean.
Who were you with?
-Family.
Where will you be when 2013 ends?
-At Jay's home.
Who will you be with when 2013 ends?
-Jay and his family.
Do you have a new years resolution for 2014?
- Not really resolutions. More like goals.
What was your favorite month of 2013?
-May.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2013?
-Yes.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
-My Dad and Nanay.
What was your favorite record from 2013?
-Maroon 5's Overexposed and Katy Perry's Prism.
How many concerts did you see in 2013?
- Four: The Script, Bamboo, Carly Rae (don't judge, it was free), and Fall Out Boy.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2013?
- No.
Do a lot of drugs in 2013
- Do prescription drugs count?
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
-No.
How much money did you spend in 2013?
- A LOT.
What was your proudest moment of 2013?
- Baking class. :) Oh, I was surprised when glamour.com picked up one of my blog entries. Haha! And getting back to magazine writing after two years. :)
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2013?
- Hmmm. Wala naman.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2013 and change something, what would it be?
- Signing my name on the dotted line. Hehe.
What are your plans for 2014?
- Be more educated financially, find a more stable job, bake more and cook more.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- More focused on the future. More wary of user-friendly people.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- For my prayers to come true!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Resto Bites - Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant
Sometimes it's nice to get lost and explore because you end up discovering something good. That's what happened to us after leaving the Super Sale Bazaar at the World Trade Center last Saturday.
Jay and I went there to visit the booth of our good friend Nina, who owns Sassyfabfinds (check her store out!). We didn't have a car that day so we needed to catch a cab to get home. Traffic was still heavy when we left the bazaar and we wanted to eat nearby. We decided to walk it out and ended up at Hobbies of Asia Complex on Macapagal Ave., where there's a number of restaurants. We almost ate at one hot pot place, but Jay wanted to check out the other options.
We chanced upon Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant. There were a lot of flowers by the door so I asked the waiter if they just opened. He said they did, only last November 28. We really only wanted to check the menu, but the attentive servers immediately led us to our seats. The place was packed, so I thought it was worth a try.
Golden Elephant looks like a Chinese restaurant at first glance but it actually offers Thai and other Asian dishes. I guess the elephant statues and gold touches should've clued me in, hehe. The restaurant has a loft design, with lots of tables and booths to accommodate big parties or dating couples. We got a cozy booth at the loft, which has floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the main dining area.
After being seated, we were given a fresh pot of house tea and complimentary appetizer of mushrooms, onions and cucumber in hot and sour sauce.
Here's what we ordered:
Deep Fried Lapu-Lapu with Mango Sauce. This dish is a bit pricey but it's worth it. One whole grouper, fried to a nice crisp, lies in a bed of sweet chili sauce and garnished with julienned green and ripe mangoes. I'm not a fan of sweet entrees but this is too good to pass up!
They also offer Steamed Lapu-Lapu in Black Bean Sauce, which is more up my alley. I'll try that on my next visit.
Salted Egg Prawn. I have a new favorite! I love shrimps and prawns cooked in every which way so I zeroed in on this dish instantly. Seven pieces of fat, juicy prawns fried in salted egg batter sit atop a bed of kropek noodles. I scraped the tasty batter off the shell, mixed it with the prawns and enjoyed it with spoonfuls of steamed rice. Don't forget the kropek noodles! It stayed crispy even after our meal, I had it bagged to go as well. :p
We also wanted to try the Grilled Skewered Frogs but it still wasn't available. Another dish that caught my eye was a sample platter of Chicken Pandan, Spring Rolls, and seafood cake (can't remember if it's crab or fish). But there was only two of us so we passed. We noticed the Pineapple fried rice was a hit among the other diners (fried rice served on a hollowed out pineapple shell).
The owners were hands-on (we're guessing it's a family business), supervising the floors and checking the dishes coming out of the kitchen. A lady came up and gave us a silver VIP card, which entitles us to a 5% discount on every visit! We asked out server if we could use it then. She said not yet, but not to worry because we were getting a 20% discount on our bill (not including beverages) anyway! How lucky were we?
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant is a good place to take your family for special occasions or Sunday lunches and dinners. Fresh seafood and other flavorful dishes with generous portions are served, and they have an extensive menu you can choose from.
Dine at the restaurant and enjoy 15% discount until December 31, 2013. And if you're lucky, you might be able to get a discount card too. :)
P.S. After doing research for this post, I realized it's not an entirely new restaurant, but they just changed their name. It's formerly Koh Samui Thai Cuisine. That explains the print on our table napkins and take away bag. Just the same, the good food and great service promises a good experience for diners. :)
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant
M6, Hobbies of Asia Complex, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
Tel Nos. +632-556-6666/+632-808-9999/+63915-7722229
P.S. I know the correct term is "seafood" and that's actually what's in their discount card, so I hope they drop the extra "s" on their front signage.
Jay and I went there to visit the booth of our good friend Nina, who owns Sassyfabfinds (check her store out!). We didn't have a car that day so we needed to catch a cab to get home. Traffic was still heavy when we left the bazaar and we wanted to eat nearby. We decided to walk it out and ended up at Hobbies of Asia Complex on Macapagal Ave., where there's a number of restaurants. We almost ate at one hot pot place, but Jay wanted to check out the other options.
We chanced upon Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant. There were a lot of flowers by the door so I asked the waiter if they just opened. He said they did, only last November 28. We really only wanted to check the menu, but the attentive servers immediately led us to our seats. The place was packed, so I thought it was worth a try.
 |
Golden Elephant looks like a Chinese restaurant at first glance but it actually offers Thai and other Asian dishes. I guess the elephant statues and gold touches should've clued me in, hehe. The restaurant has a loft design, with lots of tables and booths to accommodate big parties or dating couples. We got a cozy booth at the loft, which has floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the main dining area.
After being seated, we were given a fresh pot of house tea and complimentary appetizer of mushrooms, onions and cucumber in hot and sour sauce.
Here's what we ordered:
Deep Fried Lapu-Lapu with Mango Sauce. This dish is a bit pricey but it's worth it. One whole grouper, fried to a nice crisp, lies in a bed of sweet chili sauce and garnished with julienned green and ripe mangoes. I'm not a fan of sweet entrees but this is too good to pass up!
They also offer Steamed Lapu-Lapu in Black Bean Sauce, which is more up my alley. I'll try that on my next visit.
Salted Egg Prawn. I have a new favorite! I love shrimps and prawns cooked in every which way so I zeroed in on this dish instantly. Seven pieces of fat, juicy prawns fried in salted egg batter sit atop a bed of kropek noodles. I scraped the tasty batter off the shell, mixed it with the prawns and enjoyed it with spoonfuls of steamed rice. Don't forget the kropek noodles! It stayed crispy even after our meal, I had it bagged to go as well. :p
We also wanted to try the Grilled Skewered Frogs but it still wasn't available. Another dish that caught my eye was a sample platter of Chicken Pandan, Spring Rolls, and seafood cake (can't remember if it's crab or fish). But there was only two of us so we passed. We noticed the Pineapple fried rice was a hit among the other diners (fried rice served on a hollowed out pineapple shell).
The owners were hands-on (we're guessing it's a family business), supervising the floors and checking the dishes coming out of the kitchen. A lady came up and gave us a silver VIP card, which entitles us to a 5% discount on every visit! We asked out server if we could use it then. She said not yet, but not to worry because we were getting a 20% discount on our bill (not including beverages) anyway! How lucky were we?
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant is a good place to take your family for special occasions or Sunday lunches and dinners. Fresh seafood and other flavorful dishes with generous portions are served, and they have an extensive menu you can choose from.
Dine at the restaurant and enjoy 15% discount until December 31, 2013. And if you're lucky, you might be able to get a discount card too. :)
P.S. After doing research for this post, I realized it's not an entirely new restaurant, but they just changed their name. It's formerly Koh Samui Thai Cuisine. That explains the print on our table napkins and take away bag. Just the same, the good food and great service promises a good experience for diners. :)
Golden Elephant Seafoods Garden Restaurant
M6, Hobbies of Asia Complex, Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City
Tel Nos. +632-556-6666/+632-808-9999/+63915-7722229
P.S. I know the correct term is "seafood" and that's actually what's in their discount card, so I hope they drop the extra "s" on their front signage.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Resto Bites - Kuppa
Since my office moved to Bonifacio Global City, I've been on the hunt for quality but reasonably-priced restaurants. There are a lot of good restaurants there, but the price range is more suited for an executive. That's why my team and I rarely eat out (but that's also because we have a kick-ass cafeteria/food court in our building hehe).
During one of our team lunch-outs, we passed by Kuppa, a coffee place that catches your attention because of the handwritten menu on their windows. It reminded me of the movie Amelie. That day, some of my teammates and I decided to have our dessert there. We tried two cakes, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bombe and lemon cake (I forgot the actual name).
There is so much more to their menu than cakes and coffee, so I decided to come back with Jay to eat there during one of our date nights. Just to set your expectations, I am not a coffee drinker, so although Kuppa is also known for its coffee, there's none of that in this post.
Kuppa has nice interiors, a mix of concrete, brick and wood set against black and white walls. The space has high ceilings with exposed beams and plumbing. There are huge picture windows but the handwritten menu acts like a thin curtain for diners inside. There's a second floor with more seats, and a smoking area as well.
I had iced tea and Jay had lemonade. They serve their iced tea with syrup as sweetener, which reminded me of the one served at Chocolate Kiss (in UP Diliman).
I'd like to think I'm more adventurous than Jay when it comes to food. His philosophy is that when he's hungry, he'd like to be sure he's eating good food. We were nearly starving at this point so he opted for the basic bolognese. And I'm glad he did. This is one of the more flavorful spaghetti I've had in a while. The serving is good to share if you're also ordering other entrees.
While we were waiting for our pizza, Jay wanted to order the kebab but the server said it would take a while so we'll just reserve it for our return. There are other interesting entrees too, like the Osso Bucco and Lamb Caldereta. They also have a variety of sandwiches as well as a breakfast menu.
For our pizza, our server recommended the Prosciutto Cotto e Funghi as one of their bestsellers so we tried that. As you can see from the photo, some edges of the crust were burnt, but the rest of the pie was amazing. They didn't scrimp on the mozarella, cooked ham, and mushrooms. When I'm with my more adventurous foodie friends, I'd like to try their signature pizza called Cristina, which has an interesting mix of toppings: mozarella, balsamic, gorgonzola, fig and grapes.
Now, I've mentioned before that I am not a chocolate fan. But I'm more likely to eat chocolate when it's incorporated in another dessert, like a cake. This Chocolate Peanut Butter Bombe has my approval. It's rich, with the right amount of sweetness. A layer of peanut butter is sandwiched between white chocolate mousse and chocolate cake, then encased in chocolate ganache. You'll be licking your dessert forks with this one.
Just like Bob's, Kuppa is a cafe that originated from Bacolod. I wasn't able to pay a visit while I was there, but I'm happy they now have a branch in Manila. It's definitely worth coming back to!
Let me end my post with a shot of this decadence:
Kuppa Roastery & Cafe
31st and 4th
Bonifacio Global City
+632-552-1057
During one of our team lunch-outs, we passed by Kuppa, a coffee place that catches your attention because of the handwritten menu on their windows. It reminded me of the movie Amelie. That day, some of my teammates and I decided to have our dessert there. We tried two cakes, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bombe and lemon cake (I forgot the actual name).
There is so much more to their menu than cakes and coffee, so I decided to come back with Jay to eat there during one of our date nights. Just to set your expectations, I am not a coffee drinker, so although Kuppa is also known for its coffee, there's none of that in this post.
Kuppa has nice interiors, a mix of concrete, brick and wood set against black and white walls. The space has high ceilings with exposed beams and plumbing. There are huge picture windows but the handwritten menu acts like a thin curtain for diners inside. There's a second floor with more seats, and a smoking area as well.
 |
| Yummy pastries, chalkboard menu, and nice interiors. I'm sold! |
Here's what we ordered:
 |
| Water was complimentary, but the bottle is nice so I included it in the photo. :) |
I'd like to think I'm more adventurous than Jay when it comes to food. His philosophy is that when he's hungry, he'd like to be sure he's eating good food. We were nearly starving at this point so he opted for the basic bolognese. And I'm glad he did. This is one of the more flavorful spaghetti I've had in a while. The serving is good to share if you're also ordering other entrees.
While we were waiting for our pizza, Jay wanted to order the kebab but the server said it would take a while so we'll just reserve it for our return. There are other interesting entrees too, like the Osso Bucco and Lamb Caldereta. They also have a variety of sandwiches as well as a breakfast menu.
For our pizza, our server recommended the Prosciutto Cotto e Funghi as one of their bestsellers so we tried that. As you can see from the photo, some edges of the crust were burnt, but the rest of the pie was amazing. They didn't scrimp on the mozarella, cooked ham, and mushrooms. When I'm with my more adventurous foodie friends, I'd like to try their signature pizza called Cristina, which has an interesting mix of toppings: mozarella, balsamic, gorgonzola, fig and grapes.
Now, I've mentioned before that I am not a chocolate fan. But I'm more likely to eat chocolate when it's incorporated in another dessert, like a cake. This Chocolate Peanut Butter Bombe has my approval. It's rich, with the right amount of sweetness. A layer of peanut butter is sandwiched between white chocolate mousse and chocolate cake, then encased in chocolate ganache. You'll be licking your dessert forks with this one.
Just like Bob's, Kuppa is a cafe that originated from Bacolod. I wasn't able to pay a visit while I was there, but I'm happy they now have a branch in Manila. It's definitely worth coming back to!
Let me end my post with a shot of this decadence:
Kuppa Roastery & Cafe
31st and 4th
Bonifacio Global City
+632-552-1057
Friday, November 8, 2013
Ariane, the gift that keeps on giving.
I feel so giddy right now. :) After approving a couple of comments for my last blog entry, I checked my blog's stats and saw that I had views with glamour.com as an entry point. I wondered how that came to be so I checked the specifics of my stats. That's when I found out that the US fashion magazine's portal picked up one of my blog posts and linked back to my site!
Several months ago, I wrote about it simply out of curiosity. My friend and I kept seeing this girl everywhere and I just had to find out who she was. What do you know, that post turned out to be the most read entry on my site. Other people were curious about her too.
But I didn't realize my curiosity would land me (or my blog) on an international magazine's website! And to think my entry was haphazardly written. If I knew this would happen, I would've made it sound more serious. Hehe!
But if I learned anything from this, it's that I should keep doing what I am passionate about. And that's my little piece of advice for you too, dear reader. Whether it be about the serious or the mundane, just keep going. You never know where your creation will land. :)
Several months ago, I wrote about it simply out of curiosity. My friend and I kept seeing this girl everywhere and I just had to find out who she was. What do you know, that post turned out to be the most read entry on my site. Other people were curious about her too.
But I didn't realize my curiosity would land me (or my blog) on an international magazine's website! And to think my entry was haphazardly written. If I knew this would happen, I would've made it sound more serious. Hehe!
But if I learned anything from this, it's that I should keep doing what I am passionate about. And that's my little piece of advice for you too, dear reader. Whether it be about the serious or the mundane, just keep going. You never know where your creation will land. :)
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Life Bits - Martha Stewart Dreams
It's one of the rare times I was able to get out of the office early. I hitched a ride with my officemate and got home at around eight in the evening. I wanted to do something productive so I baked a batch of banana bread. It's now cooking in the oven. I've washed the dishes and I'm waiting for my download to finish so I decided to kill time by writing this post. It's been a while. I have tons of resto bites I should be writing, but that takes so much out of me. I actually missed making an entry, just talking about my day and my many musings.
Ever since I got into my new job, I've learned a lot of new things, especially about marketing. Most of them are confidential, of course, but let's just say it opened my eyes to the way things are offered and sold to consumers. And yeah, it's hard to look at bloggers the same way again. Right now, that's all I'll say about that, maybe one day I'll expand on it, but best not to make enemies today.
What I really want to talk about is how I am such a homebody. When people find out that I live alone, they often ask me if I get lonely. I don't. I've learned the art of solitude and actually look forward to coming home to no one. I don't have to take care of anybody else, or care what I wear inside my own house, whether I leave a mess in the kitchen and take care of it in the morning. I'm perfectly fine with my books, my TV series, and decent food. Going out to clubs or drinking all night has never really been my thing. I'd rather talk to friends over good food.
But sometimes I also love having people over. It's hard because my place is small, so when I invite people it's usually at the swimming pool where I create a mini-spread. Those are the things that make me happy. I even bought my own plastic table cloth with a nice pattern, and one time I picked up a small bouquet at the supermarket and placed it on the table. Yes, I'm a Martha Stewart/Nigella Lawson/Giada Di Laurentiis/Lemon Breeland wanna-be. One day I'm gonna have a nice house with a decent lawn (maybe even a pool), where I can hold intimate dinners with my friends and their families. I'll also have a kick-ass kitchen with a long wooden, rustic dining table and a shiny island counter for my baking and cooking stuff.
Some people thrive in the corporate setting. They get a kick out of acing presentations and pitching campaigns. But me? I'm perfectly fine with being at home. Right now I have to carve my little niche in the corporate world, but I can't wait to put that pink apron on years from now. I'll have a little home office for my writing projects and little business, but my real arena will be the kitchen. Yeah, that sounds good to me. :)
Did this post really make sense? Haha. Daydreaming over, my timer just went off. Hope my officemates enjoy what I bring to the office tomorrow!
Ever since I got into my new job, I've learned a lot of new things, especially about marketing. Most of them are confidential, of course, but let's just say it opened my eyes to the way things are offered and sold to consumers. And yeah, it's hard to look at bloggers the same way again. Right now, that's all I'll say about that, maybe one day I'll expand on it, but best not to make enemies today.
What I really want to talk about is how I am such a homebody. When people find out that I live alone, they often ask me if I get lonely. I don't. I've learned the art of solitude and actually look forward to coming home to no one. I don't have to take care of anybody else, or care what I wear inside my own house, whether I leave a mess in the kitchen and take care of it in the morning. I'm perfectly fine with my books, my TV series, and decent food. Going out to clubs or drinking all night has never really been my thing. I'd rather talk to friends over good food.
But sometimes I also love having people over. It's hard because my place is small, so when I invite people it's usually at the swimming pool where I create a mini-spread. Those are the things that make me happy. I even bought my own plastic table cloth with a nice pattern, and one time I picked up a small bouquet at the supermarket and placed it on the table. Yes, I'm a Martha Stewart/Nigella Lawson/Giada Di Laurentiis/Lemon Breeland wanna-be. One day I'm gonna have a nice house with a decent lawn (maybe even a pool), where I can hold intimate dinners with my friends and their families. I'll also have a kick-ass kitchen with a long wooden, rustic dining table and a shiny island counter for my baking and cooking stuff.
Some people thrive in the corporate setting. They get a kick out of acing presentations and pitching campaigns. But me? I'm perfectly fine with being at home. Right now I have to carve my little niche in the corporate world, but I can't wait to put that pink apron on years from now. I'll have a little home office for my writing projects and little business, but my real arena will be the kitchen. Yeah, that sounds good to me. :)
Did this post really make sense? Haha. Daydreaming over, my timer just went off. Hope my officemates enjoy what I bring to the office tomorrow!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Vanity Bits - Clarisonic Mia
I've read about Clarisonic Mia from various blogs and magazine features, but I was holding off on buying one because it's expensive. As far as I know, it's not yet sold locally, except for some shops that sell it on Instagram. Also, I have sensitive skin and I didn't want to waste money on something that will not be suitable for my skin type (oily and acne-prone). I read more reviews online and searched for products that can be used with the Mia. I was on the fence about it for so long, a Mia 2 has already come out!
Clarisonic Mia is an electronic brush that cleans and washes your face for you, so you don't have to rub your it using your fingers. It claims to clean it thoroughly so the creams and serums you apply at night can be absorbed better. When I inquired with an online seller, I was told that the only difference between Mia and Mia 2 aside from the price is the speed. Mia 2 rotates twice as fast. Shorter cleaning time I guess?
When my friend asked me if I wanted to share the shipping cost of a Balikbayan Box, I took that as an opportunity to treat myself to some online shopping. My box of goodies composed of three things: clothes, food (Trader Joe's goodies!), and my Clarisonic Mia which I bought from Amazon. My package contained the unit, a charger, and a small tube of facial cleanser. I also ordered two replacement brush heads since it's recommended to replace the brush head every three months.
Unfortunately, we had our box shipped during monsoon season, so it took about four months before we got our stuff. But no worries, we got them still in tiptop shape. I was so excited to try if the Mia works for me!
First, I charged the unit for 24 hours. It's my first time to use a charger that attaches to a gadget magnetically (except for my laptop). So cool! Haha. The Mia itself is fully waterproof so you can use it in the shower or in the tub, but be sure to keep your charger away from water! With a fully-charged battery, the Mia is good for twenty minutes of cleaning.
The brochure has instructions on how to clean your face using the Mia. Basically, you need to spend around 20 seconds for each section of your face (forehead, cheeks, nose and chin). You can either put the cleanser on your face or on the brush head. Push the power button of the Mia, then it's brushing happiness time!
I am not kidding, it's kind of liberating to clean your face using this gadget. All you have to do is hold the Mia and it does all the cleaning for you. It automatically shuts off after one minute to be sure that you don't overscrub your face. And I don't know if it's the cleanser I used, but my face feels so clean after. There's a slight tingling sensation, but not the painful kind, the fresh kind.
I waited until I used it for a couple of weeks before I did this review so I can give honest and solid results. I can say that it's helped reduce the oiliness of my face, and it also reduced the appearance of my blackheads. I also haven't had major breakouts since I started using it. A couple of pimples before my period, but that't it. So I'm confident I can use this for a long time.
Seriously, cleaning my face with the Clarisonic Mia has been one of my daily highlights! :p
Clarisonic Mia is an electronic brush that cleans and washes your face for you, so you don't have to rub your it using your fingers. It claims to clean it thoroughly so the creams and serums you apply at night can be absorbed better. When I inquired with an online seller, I was told that the only difference between Mia and Mia 2 aside from the price is the speed. Mia 2 rotates twice as fast. Shorter cleaning time I guess?
When my friend asked me if I wanted to share the shipping cost of a Balikbayan Box, I took that as an opportunity to treat myself to some online shopping. My box of goodies composed of three things: clothes, food (Trader Joe's goodies!), and my Clarisonic Mia which I bought from Amazon. My package contained the unit, a charger, and a small tube of facial cleanser. I also ordered two replacement brush heads since it's recommended to replace the brush head every three months.
Unfortunately, we had our box shipped during monsoon season, so it took about four months before we got our stuff. But no worries, we got them still in tiptop shape. I was so excited to try if the Mia works for me!
First, I charged the unit for 24 hours. It's my first time to use a charger that attaches to a gadget magnetically (except for my laptop). So cool! Haha. The Mia itself is fully waterproof so you can use it in the shower or in the tub, but be sure to keep your charger away from water! With a fully-charged battery, the Mia is good for twenty minutes of cleaning.
 |
| My Clarisonic Mia connected to its charger. |
The brochure has instructions on how to clean your face using the Mia. Basically, you need to spend around 20 seconds for each section of your face (forehead, cheeks, nose and chin). You can either put the cleanser on your face or on the brush head. Push the power button of the Mia, then it's brushing happiness time!
I am not kidding, it's kind of liberating to clean your face using this gadget. All you have to do is hold the Mia and it does all the cleaning for you. It automatically shuts off after one minute to be sure that you don't overscrub your face. And I don't know if it's the cleanser I used, but my face feels so clean after. There's a slight tingling sensation, but not the painful kind, the fresh kind.
I waited until I used it for a couple of weeks before I did this review so I can give honest and solid results. I can say that it's helped reduce the oiliness of my face, and it also reduced the appearance of my blackheads. I also haven't had major breakouts since I started using it. A couple of pimples before my period, but that't it. So I'm confident I can use this for a long time.
Seriously, cleaning my face with the Clarisonic Mia has been one of my daily highlights! :p
Monday, August 26, 2013
Resto Bites: Sunshine Kitchen
I love eating out, but that habit can be tough on the pocket especially when you want to eat in a good restaurant. To get quality food, sometimes you have to pay a high price. That's why I am so thankful discount websites have sprung like wild mushrooms everywhere! I've gotten so many good deals from those sites be it for health, beauty, and of course, food! It can get addicting though, so make sure you purchase stuff you really need. Everything in moderation. :)
Marye, Ten, and I shared a coupon for Sunshine Kitchen. It was a consumable voucher that allowed us to order items on the regular menu. That was good because usually when restaurants tie up with a discount website, they offer a special set menu. I forgot how much the coupon was, but what we did was pay for the additional cost of our orders.
My first impression when we entered Sunshine Kitchen was that it lacked sunshine. Maybe because we came on a gloomy day, or maybe I was just thinking about a different restaurant. You know, white furniture, bright and cheerful walls, birds chirping. Heh, my bad.
Sunshine Kitchen has brick walls, black tables, and yellow chairs. The sunlight comes from the huge picture windows covered by the restaurant signage in the middle. A bar with high black stools gives a peek into the restaurant's kitchen.
The sunshine comes from the food they serve: flavorful, well-seasoned, and with generous servings. Each dish is worth the price.
For appetizers, we had mixed mushroom with poached egg (P280). Two thumbs up for this dish. Even the bread was great.
We also ordered Pasta Al Nero (P410). It's squid ink spaghetti with shrimp, squid, snapper and cream. I love anything pasta, and this was a hit for me. Creamy and tender, it's good for sharing but I have no doubt I can finish it on my own.
Another great dish, this is the 6-hour Slow Roast Porchetta (P450). We also split this among the three of us (their menu says it's good for two), but if you're not too worried about your cholesterol levels, then go ahead and eat it solo. The pork was cooked right, and it has the right mix of crisp and tender, crunchy and juicy. It comes with three dipping sauces, but it's delicious even on its own.
One of the reasons we headed to this restaurant was to try out their "artisanal pizzas," and boy we weren't disappointed. We tried their signature dish, the Sunshine Pizza (P550). It has a bed of marinara sauce topped with Cabanatuan longganisa, porchetta, mozzarella, ricotta, bell peppers, and what we think could only be quail eggs on each slice. Smoky, savory goodness in every bite. This is definitely not from your neighborhood pizza joint.
Oh but the happiness didn't stop there. We finished our delightful meal with two scoops of Key Lime Pie Ice Cream topped with crushed grahams (P240). Ah, I could sing this dessert praises all day! I've mentioned before that I have a different taste when it comes to desserts and sweets, but this, this is definitely my type. It is exactly what you need on a hot summer day: cold, tangy, and refreshing. Actually, you'd want to eat it even if it's cold and raining! I can still taste it in my mouth as I type this. I shall come back for you!
Service was good, the servers efficient and knowledgable of the menu. I won't be surprised if this place is always packed with customers.
Sunshine Kitchen
The Fort Strip
7th Avenue corner Katipunan Circle
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig/Makati City
+632-8472791
+63928-8212625
Marye, Ten, and I shared a coupon for Sunshine Kitchen. It was a consumable voucher that allowed us to order items on the regular menu. That was good because usually when restaurants tie up with a discount website, they offer a special set menu. I forgot how much the coupon was, but what we did was pay for the additional cost of our orders.
My first impression when we entered Sunshine Kitchen was that it lacked sunshine. Maybe because we came on a gloomy day, or maybe I was just thinking about a different restaurant. You know, white furniture, bright and cheerful walls, birds chirping. Heh, my bad.
Sunshine Kitchen has brick walls, black tables, and yellow chairs. The sunlight comes from the huge picture windows covered by the restaurant signage in the middle. A bar with high black stools gives a peek into the restaurant's kitchen.
The sunshine comes from the food they serve: flavorful, well-seasoned, and with generous servings. Each dish is worth the price.
For appetizers, we had mixed mushroom with poached egg (P280). Two thumbs up for this dish. Even the bread was great.
We also ordered Pasta Al Nero (P410). It's squid ink spaghetti with shrimp, squid, snapper and cream. I love anything pasta, and this was a hit for me. Creamy and tender, it's good for sharing but I have no doubt I can finish it on my own.
One of the reasons we headed to this restaurant was to try out their "artisanal pizzas," and boy we weren't disappointed. We tried their signature dish, the Sunshine Pizza (P550). It has a bed of marinara sauce topped with Cabanatuan longganisa, porchetta, mozzarella, ricotta, bell peppers, and what we think could only be quail eggs on each slice. Smoky, savory goodness in every bite. This is definitely not from your neighborhood pizza joint.
Oh but the happiness didn't stop there. We finished our delightful meal with two scoops of Key Lime Pie Ice Cream topped with crushed grahams (P240). Ah, I could sing this dessert praises all day! I've mentioned before that I have a different taste when it comes to desserts and sweets, but this, this is definitely my type. It is exactly what you need on a hot summer day: cold, tangy, and refreshing. Actually, you'd want to eat it even if it's cold and raining! I can still taste it in my mouth as I type this. I shall come back for you!
Service was good, the servers efficient and knowledgable of the menu. I won't be surprised if this place is always packed with customers.
Sunshine Kitchen
The Fort Strip
7th Avenue corner Katipunan Circle
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig/Makati City
+632-8472791
+63928-8212625
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Book Bits: An excerpt from Marisa De Los Santos's Falling Together
Marisa Delos Santos is the Filipino-American bestselling author of When Love Walked In and Belong To Me. Her latest novel is Falling Together, and it has got to be the best book I've read this year (and I'm not even finished with it). I fall in love with books, mostly because I can relate with the characters and what they are going through. I'm not going to post spoilers here, but let me just say that each of the protagonists has to deal with losing a loved one.
I've been going through some stuff lately and reading this book not only helped me temporarily escape the stress (that's what I love about reading, you get lost in another world), but some of the dialogue and situations seem to speak to me.
My apologies to the author, I just edited the pronouns in the following excerpts:
Will had thought about pointing out that his own ______ wasn't actually dead, unless you counted her heart and soul, or that you had to first have a ______ in order to lose one, or that his ______'s exit from his life had left nothing that required healing.
***
"Whether I do or I don't, though, I figured something out."
"What's that?"
"I need her gone," Will had told her, looking her straight in the eye. "For good. No seeing her. No more phone calls or e-mails. Nothing."
He had braced himself.
"Good," said his ______ firmly. "Cut her out."
"Really? I thought you'd be upset."
"Of course not," said his ______. "Whatever you need to do to take care of yourself, do it. And good riddance."
"Hold on," Will had said. "I thought you forgave her."
"I did. I do. I let go of my anger and blame, but I know her."
"...unless that woman undergoes a radical change, which could happen because miracles do happen, but which I'm sorry to say seem unlikely, she shouldn't be anywhere near you."
I've been going through some stuff lately and reading this book not only helped me temporarily escape the stress (that's what I love about reading, you get lost in another world), but some of the dialogue and situations seem to speak to me.
My apologies to the author, I just edited the pronouns in the following excerpts:
Will had thought about pointing out that his own ______ wasn't actually dead, unless you counted her heart and soul, or that you had to first have a ______ in order to lose one, or that his ______'s exit from his life had left nothing that required healing.
***
"Whether I do or I don't, though, I figured something out."
"What's that?"
"I need her gone," Will had told her, looking her straight in the eye. "For good. No seeing her. No more phone calls or e-mails. Nothing."
He had braced himself.
"Good," said his ______ firmly. "Cut her out."
"Really? I thought you'd be upset."
"Of course not," said his ______. "Whatever you need to do to take care of yourself, do it. And good riddance."
"Hold on," Will had said. "I thought you forgave her."
"I did. I do. I let go of my anger and blame, but I know her."
"...unless that woman undergoes a radical change, which could happen because miracles do happen, but which I'm sorry to say seem unlikely, she shouldn't be anywhere near you."
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Life Bits: Dealing with compliments
I saw this video on Ms. Tina's blog. I so agree with this! Most women or people in general do not know how to deal with compliments. They shrug it off and then say something negative about themselves. For example, when you tell them they lost weight, they'd say something like "No, I actually gained weight!" I do that sometimes too, but we should really not make a habit of it. Watch the video and tell me if this isn't true!
There was a time someone complimented what I was wearing and I said, "Oo nga e [ang ganda]. Thank you!" And she laughed because my reaction wasn't the usual "Hindi naman..."
I love when people compliment me and I thank them for it because it means I made the right choice in buying something or choosing to wear that something (a dress, a pair of shoes, a shade of lipstick).
Guys and girls, there's nothing wrong with saying thank you when someone throws you a compliment. It builds self-esteem. :)
There was a time someone complimented what I was wearing and I said, "Oo nga e [ang ganda]. Thank you!" And she laughed because my reaction wasn't the usual "Hindi naman..."
I love when people compliment me and I thank them for it because it means I made the right choice in buying something or choosing to wear that something (a dress, a pair of shoes, a shade of lipstick).
Guys and girls, there's nothing wrong with saying thank you when someone throws you a compliment. It builds self-esteem. :)
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Resto Bites: Sincerity
A couple of months ago, my former office mates and I decided to have a field trip in Binondo to eat at Sincerity, a hole in the wall restaurant famous for their fried chicken.
I first came to know about Sincerity through my Mom, who frequents Divisoria for her garments business. She would sometimes bring a take out order of fried chicken, which is so good even after you've put them in the fridge overnight. The chicken remains tender and flavorful. It's been years since I last ate their chicken.
One Saturday we met up in front of Binondo Church and walked for about ten minutes until we found the restaurant squeezed between other establishments on the busy Yuchengco Street. The interiors are nothing fancy: basic plastic tables and chairs. One wall has mirror panels to make the place look bigger. Above them, there are framed photos and plates signed by celebrities. A small TV screen by the counter plays on loop a Kris TV episode (with Kris Aquino and Kim Chiu) that was shot inside Sincerity.
I found it cute that their serving plates are the ones my relatives had when I was younger--those white and beige ceramic plates with a classic print of a lady and a gentleman. It brought me back to my childhood!
Our orders:
Three half orders of Sincerity Fried Chicken. Like I said, it's great. This is not your fast food chicken. Each part is seasoned well, and the pieces are cut just right. Looking back, I should've ordered some for take-out.
Oyster Cake. This is an acquired taste, one that I'm glad I got. The oysters are removed from their shells, enveloped in scrambled eggs, then it was either baked or fried. All I know for sure is this is a must-try! If you love seafood, then you shouldn't miss ordering this.
Polonchay belongs in the same family as spinach. Tastes like spinach too. We ordered this because of guilt. All our orders were fried and oily! Hehe.
Kikiam. Again, not how your typical kikiam looks like. One order costs P50 pesos, but the serving size is big. And it's yummy!
Sincerity Fried Rice. A Chinese restaurant staple. I think we ordered several extra servings of this.
And because one of my office mates ordered it, I got jealous and ordered a sago't gulaman for myself! Perfect thirst quencher.
We only had to pay P189 each for all our orders (including drinks). That was two hundred pesos well spent, I tell ya. Food is excellent and service is good. They even gave us house tea and complimentary ube ensaymada! If only Sincerity was more accessible, I'd be a staple for sure.
Here's a blurry group photo. Happy smiles and happy tummies!
Sincerity Restaurant & Cafe
497 Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila
Tel. No. 241-9991/241-9990/241-9972
Sincerity Restaurant & Cafe
G/F Luck Chinatown Mall
Reina Regente St. cor. Dela Reina St., Binondo, Manila
Sincere Restaurant & Cafe
549 Banawe St., Quezon City
Tel No. 711-0212/711-0280
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Music Bits: Bamboo
A little back story: I am a big music fan. I turn to music when I'm happy and even more when I'm sad. I've been a choir member since I was seven years old, and songs bring me back to certain moments of my life. I will always associate Avril Lavigne's album Let Go with our Tagaytay camping trip when I was a high school senior. Damien Rice's "Cannonball" was my 2006 theme song. Adele's album 21 helped get me through the last part of 2011 and the first quarter or 2012. "Butterfly Kisses" will always be for my Dad, and "Grow Old With You" for Jay.
Jay and I are avid music lovers. We love going to UP Fair and attending concerts when we can. One of my best memories of him is when we attended both of Eraserheads' reunion concerts: The Reunion and The Final Set.
Because he was working in Vietnam back in March, I had to take Niña to the Script's concert in Araneta Coliseum. Last month, my Mom asked me if I wanted to go to Bamboo's Musikat Jam concert with her at Resorts World Manila. I immediately said yes because 1) it's free, and 2) Jay wasn't here to accompany me.
I must admit I'm not a big Bamboo fan. Of course I know all the hit songs when he was still with Rivermaya, and I know the chorus of Bamboo's (the band) rock hits. I don't follow his music closely, it's just that he's everywhere so you can't really miss his songs.
But after watching him in an intimate indoor venue and hearing him sing live using a good sound system, I now understand his appeal. I've only heard him sing the rock songs in outdoor venues before, so I was more a fan of the electric vibe he brings to the stage.
I think the mark of a true artist is when his voice is as good live as it is recorded. I daresay, Bamboo sounds even better live. His voice is so smooth even when he's supposed to be screaming, and clear even if he's being squished by eager fans wanting to take a photo. In Filipino, the perfect word is swabe.
The first part of the concert concentrated on tracks from his solo album No Water, No Moon. But my heart skipped a beat when I heard the band play the opening chords of one of my all-time favorite songs, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."
Now, I have to point out that Bamboo's band (not to be confused with his former band with the same name) is very good. A girl provided back-up vocals, played the piano, and also the flute. The double bass (the giant violin) player also played the guitar (I'm assuming it was a bass guitar as well). And when Bamboo sang a wicked version of "Wonderwall," I was mentally floating on musical heaven while the strings were playing their solo part. Aaaaah, strings. Side note: The violin and cello were the cool kind, the ones that look like skeletons of the actual instruments.
The second part of the concert was the rock part, the one the audience was waiting for. Bamboo started the set with Rivermaya's "214," and followed it with the other hits. I can't remember the exact order, but it included: "Elesi," "Tatsulok," "Hallelujiah," and "NoyPi." And because Bamboo is the Globe Tattoo@Home Ambassador, he also sang the LSS-inducing "Carousel," which is the theme song used for Tattoo@Home.
Until that point, the atmosphere was subdued, a bit stiff and formal since we were at RWM's Newport Performance Theater. Bamboo kept going down the stage to the audience, but because he was singing the slow songs, the people were contented taking his photos from afar.
Things changed once he started rocking. I couldn't see exactly what he was stepping on, but on two occasions he was surrounded by screaming fans while he towered over them and security personnel were trying very hard to control the crowd. The people then rushed to the stage, phones and tablets in hand, arms raised and jumping along. The technical crew had to protect the speakers from falling off the stage.
Bamboo was wired enough to grant an encore of several songs including "Adik Sa'yo," "Englishman in New York" and "Sunday Morning." I'm not sure if there were others, I was too busy smiling at him and reaching for his hand (which he shook twice! Haha). A concert-goer lives for moments like that. When you're so close to the stage you almost get a stiff neck, when you're so pumped and happy you try to make the bouncers smile and sing along.
Bamboo, you did not disappoint. I shall listen to your solo album and pick a favorite.
As I was searching for Bamboo's songs, I came across his latest video which made me smile. Listen to some good music and enjoy your Sunday dear reader! :)
Jay and I are avid music lovers. We love going to UP Fair and attending concerts when we can. One of my best memories of him is when we attended both of Eraserheads' reunion concerts: The Reunion and The Final Set.
Because he was working in Vietnam back in March, I had to take Niña to the Script's concert in Araneta Coliseum. Last month, my Mom asked me if I wanted to go to Bamboo's Musikat Jam concert with her at Resorts World Manila. I immediately said yes because 1) it's free, and 2) Jay wasn't here to accompany me.
I must admit I'm not a big Bamboo fan. Of course I know all the hit songs when he was still with Rivermaya, and I know the chorus of Bamboo's (the band) rock hits. I don't follow his music closely, it's just that he's everywhere so you can't really miss his songs.
But after watching him in an intimate indoor venue and hearing him sing live using a good sound system, I now understand his appeal. I've only heard him sing the rock songs in outdoor venues before, so I was more a fan of the electric vibe he brings to the stage.
I think the mark of a true artist is when his voice is as good live as it is recorded. I daresay, Bamboo sounds even better live. His voice is so smooth even when he's supposed to be screaming, and clear even if he's being squished by eager fans wanting to take a photo. In Filipino, the perfect word is swabe.
The first part of the concert concentrated on tracks from his solo album No Water, No Moon. But my heart skipped a beat when I heard the band play the opening chords of one of my all-time favorite songs, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."
Now, I have to point out that Bamboo's band (not to be confused with his former band with the same name) is very good. A girl provided back-up vocals, played the piano, and also the flute. The double bass (the giant violin) player also played the guitar (I'm assuming it was a bass guitar as well). And when Bamboo sang a wicked version of "Wonderwall," I was mentally floating on musical heaven while the strings were playing their solo part. Aaaaah, strings. Side note: The violin and cello were the cool kind, the ones that look like skeletons of the actual instruments.
The second part of the concert was the rock part, the one the audience was waiting for. Bamboo started the set with Rivermaya's "214," and followed it with the other hits. I can't remember the exact order, but it included: "Elesi," "Tatsulok," "Hallelujiah," and "NoyPi." And because Bamboo is the Globe Tattoo@Home Ambassador, he also sang the LSS-inducing "Carousel," which is the theme song used for Tattoo@Home.
Until that point, the atmosphere was subdued, a bit stiff and formal since we were at RWM's Newport Performance Theater. Bamboo kept going down the stage to the audience, but because he was singing the slow songs, the people were contented taking his photos from afar.
Things changed once he started rocking. I couldn't see exactly what he was stepping on, but on two occasions he was surrounded by screaming fans while he towered over them and security personnel were trying very hard to control the crowd. The people then rushed to the stage, phones and tablets in hand, arms raised and jumping along. The technical crew had to protect the speakers from falling off the stage.
Bamboo was wired enough to grant an encore of several songs including "Adik Sa'yo," "Englishman in New York" and "Sunday Morning." I'm not sure if there were others, I was too busy smiling at him and reaching for his hand (which he shook twice! Haha). A concert-goer lives for moments like that. When you're so close to the stage you almost get a stiff neck, when you're so pumped and happy you try to make the bouncers smile and sing along.
Bamboo, you did not disappoint. I shall listen to your solo album and pick a favorite.
As I was searching for Bamboo's songs, I came across his latest video which made me smile. Listen to some good music and enjoy your Sunday dear reader! :)
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Resto Bites: Maple
I wanted to like Maple. I really did. I chose the restaurant for my despedida lunch with my office friends before I left my former job. Our office was near Shangri-La Plaza, and the recently-opened East Wing promised a lot of new restaurants waiting to be tried. The day before we went there, I saw Christine Dychiao post a photo of their Truffle Omelette Souffle on her Instagram account.
Maple is a modest-sized restaurant with dark wooden furniture, giving off a warm, log cabin vibe. An accent wall has a huge stencil of a Maple tree, with backlighting that emits an amber glow. Their menu reads like a fairy tale book, and they offer traditional and modern American dishes.
Only a couple of tables were taken when we came in (the photos above were taken after our meal), but the restaurant was filled soon after we sat down. The ratio of the servers to the tables weren't quite balanced, we only saw about three servers for more than twelve tables, and they were always out of sight.
Our bad experience started with the dusty water glasses. Ten called the attention of one waitress and told her of our concern. What I noticed was the waitress didn't apologize or seem bothered, she even thought what we were pointing out was a lime pulp, which they serve with their house water. That was fine, we let it pass. Our water glasses were replaced.
We ordered four dishes: Huevos Rancheros, Truffle Omelette Souffle, the Blueberry and Cream Cheese Pancake Tower, and Bourbon Bread Pudding for dessert. Presentation-wise, the souffle looked the best, while the pancake tower left us disappointed. It was lopsided and looked like it was put together hastily.
Huevos Rancheros is a Mexican breakfast dish composed of fried tortilla chips, beans, chicken and cabbage, topped with a sunny-side up egg, cheese, and a special ranchero sauce. We liked this dish, but you have to finish this immediately while it's hot, as the tortilla chips tend to get soggy when left untouched. Think of this as breakfast nachos.
Taste-wise, I also liked the omelette best. I never had an omelette souffle before so the texture of the dish was a welcome surprise. The smell of truffle (or was it truffle oil?) got us hooked. The dish, like most of Maple's offerings, is big enough to share. It is served with slices of garlic bread, but you can also order a side of rice if you want a more filling meal.
Now, remember the sad pancake tower? It turns out, it WAS put together hastily, because after only one bite of those pancakes, I had to stop and check why there was a metallic taste in my mouth. Out came a piece of aluminum foil the size of my thumb nail. Sorry, I was too shocked to think of bringing out my phone so there is no photo. We showed the waiter the piece of aluminum foil, and guess what he said? "Ay galing po yan sa cream cheese (That's from the cream cheese packaging)." As if we didn't realize that. The good thing is he asked us if we wanted the dish to be replaced (of course). The bad thing is he didn't apologize either! He just took my plate and acted like it was an ordinary thing, as if they always find a piece of foil casually mixed in their dishes all the time.
Our second tower of pancakes came and it didn't look any better, only there was no foil anymore.
But it's hard to get past the incident, and after that everything just tasted blah. Even the Bourbon Bread Pudding didn't do anything for me, and I love pudding!
In one of Top Chef's episodes, Chef Tom Colicchio said people come to a restaurant for the food, but they come back because of the service. And this is really what Maple should improve on. It was so hard to call the servers' attention, they were always inside the kitchen. And when we did get their attention, they seemed apathetic to the concerns we were raising. If they don't care about what they are putting out, why should we bother coming back?
Our bill, when split among us three, didn't really hurt our pockets. But I'd rather spend my hard-earned money some place else, one that has great food and even greater service.
MAPLE
L/GL East Wing
Shangri-La Plaza
Mandaluyong City
2/FL San Antonio Plaza Arcade
50 McKinley Road
Forbes Park, Makati City
Maple is a modest-sized restaurant with dark wooden furniture, giving off a warm, log cabin vibe. An accent wall has a huge stencil of a Maple tree, with backlighting that emits an amber glow. Their menu reads like a fairy tale book, and they offer traditional and modern American dishes.
Only a couple of tables were taken when we came in (the photos above were taken after our meal), but the restaurant was filled soon after we sat down. The ratio of the servers to the tables weren't quite balanced, we only saw about three servers for more than twelve tables, and they were always out of sight.
Our bad experience started with the dusty water glasses. Ten called the attention of one waitress and told her of our concern. What I noticed was the waitress didn't apologize or seem bothered, she even thought what we were pointing out was a lime pulp, which they serve with their house water. That was fine, we let it pass. Our water glasses were replaced.
We ordered four dishes: Huevos Rancheros, Truffle Omelette Souffle, the Blueberry and Cream Cheese Pancake Tower, and Bourbon Bread Pudding for dessert. Presentation-wise, the souffle looked the best, while the pancake tower left us disappointed. It was lopsided and looked like it was put together hastily.
Huevos Rancheros is a Mexican breakfast dish composed of fried tortilla chips, beans, chicken and cabbage, topped with a sunny-side up egg, cheese, and a special ranchero sauce. We liked this dish, but you have to finish this immediately while it's hot, as the tortilla chips tend to get soggy when left untouched. Think of this as breakfast nachos.
Taste-wise, I also liked the omelette best. I never had an omelette souffle before so the texture of the dish was a welcome surprise. The smell of truffle (or was it truffle oil?) got us hooked. The dish, like most of Maple's offerings, is big enough to share. It is served with slices of garlic bread, but you can also order a side of rice if you want a more filling meal.
Now, remember the sad pancake tower? It turns out, it WAS put together hastily, because after only one bite of those pancakes, I had to stop and check why there was a metallic taste in my mouth. Out came a piece of aluminum foil the size of my thumb nail. Sorry, I was too shocked to think of bringing out my phone so there is no photo. We showed the waiter the piece of aluminum foil, and guess what he said? "Ay galing po yan sa cream cheese (That's from the cream cheese packaging)." As if we didn't realize that. The good thing is he asked us if we wanted the dish to be replaced (of course). The bad thing is he didn't apologize either! He just took my plate and acted like it was an ordinary thing, as if they always find a piece of foil casually mixed in their dishes all the time.
Our second tower of pancakes came and it didn't look any better, only there was no foil anymore.
But it's hard to get past the incident, and after that everything just tasted blah. Even the Bourbon Bread Pudding didn't do anything for me, and I love pudding!
In one of Top Chef's episodes, Chef Tom Colicchio said people come to a restaurant for the food, but they come back because of the service. And this is really what Maple should improve on. It was so hard to call the servers' attention, they were always inside the kitchen. And when we did get their attention, they seemed apathetic to the concerns we were raising. If they don't care about what they are putting out, why should we bother coming back?
Our bill, when split among us three, didn't really hurt our pockets. But I'd rather spend my hard-earned money some place else, one that has great food and even greater service.
MAPLE
L/GL East Wing
Shangri-La Plaza
Mandaluyong City
2/FL San Antonio Plaza Arcade
50 McKinley Road
Forbes Park, Makati City
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Happy Father's Day Dad!
Dear Dad,
I miss you so much. Words can't even express how much I long for you to be by my side especially now. Ever since I got sick back in 2011, family Sundays with Kuya and Juliet have stopped. Well, they continued to go out but they no longer asked me to come. And now, they each have their own families to be with so it's really just me. Mom doesn't have a driver on Sundays, and we seldom go out just the two of us, most of the time it's with her friends and it's almost always to go to Resorts World.
I miss having meals with you. I miss our conversations, your jokes, your stories, your lessons. I miss how you always combed my hair and told me I was beautiful. How proud you were of us whenever we'd run into other people at the mall or wherever, and you'd introduce us and beam with pride whenever they'd tell you a compliment for us. I've been meaning to ask you this, were moms wired to criticize their children, or is it just Mom? It's just that she never really told me I was beautiful, at least not in the last decade. Whenever we're together, she always has something to say about how I look or how I dress. One time, I was telling her a story and she was looking at me intently. I thought she was listening to me, then all of a sudden she blurted out something about my messy eyebrows. She'd also pick on my (pimply) face in public, and tell me how big my hips are and how I should have a liposuction. Yes, Dad, I'm telling on her because my self-esteem really suffers whenever I'm with her. Maybe she means well. But I just wish she'd throw me a bone even once.
I miss hearing you sing in the shower, in the car, on stage. I miss the way your eyes would crinkle when you smile. I miss seeing you comb your hair and spray your perfume in front of the ornate wooden vanity. I miss waiting for you to come home late at night, giving you two kisses on the cheek, one on the lips and the tightest bear hug. That's what I miss the most, Dad. I miss hugging you.
Things are so different now. I know I might be settling down soon, and it breaks my heart knowing you won't be there to walk me down the aisle. You're the only one I want to walk me down the aisle, Dad. No one can replace you. I'm not sure if you would have liked Ronald, but one thing I can assure you is he's a very faithful member of the Church. He's been a choir member longer than I have, and he continues to perform his duty even when he's abroad. I couldn't be more proud of him, Dad. And he loves me very much. He respects me and is very patient with me. He never gave up on me even after I gave up on him. And he was there after he found out I got sick. He has never left me since. If you were alive, I think you would see it too. I'd be okay.
I miss you Dad. You were the best mother and father to us when we were all living under your roof. Those were the best four years of my family life. Thank you for showing us that it's possible to put your family first no matter how busy you are at work. I cannot say what kind of man you were, but I will never get tired of telling people what kind of father you were: the best.
I miss you Dad. The years don't lessen the pain. I am looking forward to the day when I can hug you again.
I miss you so much. Words can't even express how much I long for you to be by my side especially now. Ever since I got sick back in 2011, family Sundays with Kuya and Juliet have stopped. Well, they continued to go out but they no longer asked me to come. And now, they each have their own families to be with so it's really just me. Mom doesn't have a driver on Sundays, and we seldom go out just the two of us, most of the time it's with her friends and it's almost always to go to Resorts World.
I miss having meals with you. I miss our conversations, your jokes, your stories, your lessons. I miss how you always combed my hair and told me I was beautiful. How proud you were of us whenever we'd run into other people at the mall or wherever, and you'd introduce us and beam with pride whenever they'd tell you a compliment for us. I've been meaning to ask you this, were moms wired to criticize their children, or is it just Mom? It's just that she never really told me I was beautiful, at least not in the last decade. Whenever we're together, she always has something to say about how I look or how I dress. One time, I was telling her a story and she was looking at me intently. I thought she was listening to me, then all of a sudden she blurted out something about my messy eyebrows. She'd also pick on my (pimply) face in public, and tell me how big my hips are and how I should have a liposuction. Yes, Dad, I'm telling on her because my self-esteem really suffers whenever I'm with her. Maybe she means well. But I just wish she'd throw me a bone even once.
I miss hearing you sing in the shower, in the car, on stage. I miss the way your eyes would crinkle when you smile. I miss seeing you comb your hair and spray your perfume in front of the ornate wooden vanity. I miss waiting for you to come home late at night, giving you two kisses on the cheek, one on the lips and the tightest bear hug. That's what I miss the most, Dad. I miss hugging you.
Things are so different now. I know I might be settling down soon, and it breaks my heart knowing you won't be there to walk me down the aisle. You're the only one I want to walk me down the aisle, Dad. No one can replace you. I'm not sure if you would have liked Ronald, but one thing I can assure you is he's a very faithful member of the Church. He's been a choir member longer than I have, and he continues to perform his duty even when he's abroad. I couldn't be more proud of him, Dad. And he loves me very much. He respects me and is very patient with me. He never gave up on me even after I gave up on him. And he was there after he found out I got sick. He has never left me since. If you were alive, I think you would see it too. I'd be okay.
I miss you Dad. You were the best mother and father to us when we were all living under your roof. Those were the best four years of my family life. Thank you for showing us that it's possible to put your family first no matter how busy you are at work. I cannot say what kind of man you were, but I will never get tired of telling people what kind of father you were: the best.
I miss you Dad. The years don't lessen the pain. I am looking forward to the day when I can hug you again.
Love,
Tekla
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Home Bites: Banana Bread
I baked my first banana bread from scratch today. I've baked brownies and banana bread before, but I always used boxed mixes. After attending a baking class last month, I found out it wasn't that hard to bake from scratch. But the recipes we did called for an electric mixer, so I was hesitant to try them out at home.
While browsing for recipes online, I came across Panlasang Pinoy, which has a simple recipe for banana bread that didn't require a mixer. He even had a video demo for it.
Last weekend I bought the ingredients and was planning to bake on Sunday night. But my laziness got the best of me so it was put on hold. Then this week, we had an unexpected death in the family. My aunt died of acute appendicitis.
I'm only on my second week at my new job so I'm still adjusting. It's been sad and stressful so I decided to make use of the holiday to bake the bad vibes away!
Here's the Banana Bread recipe from Panlasang Pinoy:
1 cup banana, mashed (I used five small lakatan bananas)
1 cup sugar (I used Muscovado)
2 pieces raw eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
I mixed the dry ingredients first: flour, sugar, salt and baking soda. Then I added the wet ingredients: eggs, mashed bananas, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. I whisked everything together to form a batter. I made sure there were no large banana chunks. I transferred the batter to a greased 9" x 5" x 2.5" loaf pan.
My oven uses Celcius so I preheated it at 170 degrees (350 degrees Farenheit). I set the timer for an hour and watched Kell on Earth on my laptop.
The smell of baking banana bread wafted around my small studio. I had to stop watching my TV show for a second and just indulge in that comforting smell. The combination of banana and vanilla smells amazing. I couldn't wait to see the finished product.
The edges were a bit burned but other than that, I think I did well. I give myself 3/5 stars hehe. The bread came out darker because of the Muscovado, but it was moist and soft. It reminded me of the banana bread from Edsa Shangri-La's The Bakeshop (not the taste, okay, just the appearance hehe). My uncle used to be their head of security and he would always buy me a loaf. This has been one of my favorite comfort foods (along with Good Shepherd's ube jam, Heat's pudding, and mac & cheese).
Maybe next time I'll add some walnuts and use white sugar, just to see the difference. This is a really easy recipe, perfect for a beginner like me. I can't wait to bake some more!
P.S. If you have tips on how not to burn the edges, please hit the comment section. Should I adjust my tray in the oven?
UPDATE:
My second and third batches were much better! I added walnuts, used white sugar instead of Muscovado, and used rock salt instead of iodized salt. I also found out that the reason the edges were burnt because I used butter to grease my pan which is a no-no! Here are photos of my second try:
Everyone liked it! Jay, my officemates, my sister-in-law, even my Mom! I'm so happy. :)
While browsing for recipes online, I came across Panlasang Pinoy, which has a simple recipe for banana bread that didn't require a mixer. He even had a video demo for it.
Last weekend I bought the ingredients and was planning to bake on Sunday night. But my laziness got the best of me so it was put on hold. Then this week, we had an unexpected death in the family. My aunt died of acute appendicitis.
I'm only on my second week at my new job so I'm still adjusting. It's been sad and stressful so I decided to make use of the holiday to bake the bad vibes away!
Here's the Banana Bread recipe from Panlasang Pinoy:
1 cup banana, mashed (I used five small lakatan bananas)
1 cup sugar (I used Muscovado)
2 pieces raw eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
I mixed the dry ingredients first: flour, sugar, salt and baking soda. Then I added the wet ingredients: eggs, mashed bananas, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. I whisked everything together to form a batter. I made sure there were no large banana chunks. I transferred the batter to a greased 9" x 5" x 2.5" loaf pan.
My oven uses Celcius so I preheated it at 170 degrees (350 degrees Farenheit). I set the timer for an hour and watched Kell on Earth on my laptop.
 |
| Tick tock tick tock. |
The smell of baking banana bread wafted around my small studio. I had to stop watching my TV show for a second and just indulge in that comforting smell. The combination of banana and vanilla smells amazing. I couldn't wait to see the finished product.
 |
| Ta-dah! |
The edges were a bit burned but other than that, I think I did well. I give myself 3/5 stars hehe. The bread came out darker because of the Muscovado, but it was moist and soft. It reminded me of the banana bread from Edsa Shangri-La's The Bakeshop (not the taste, okay, just the appearance hehe). My uncle used to be their head of security and he would always buy me a loaf. This has been one of my favorite comfort foods (along with Good Shepherd's ube jam, Heat's pudding, and mac & cheese).
 |
Maybe next time I'll add some walnuts and use white sugar, just to see the difference. This is a really easy recipe, perfect for a beginner like me. I can't wait to bake some more!
P.S. If you have tips on how not to burn the edges, please hit the comment section. Should I adjust my tray in the oven?
UPDATE:
My second and third batches were much better! I added walnuts, used white sugar instead of Muscovado, and used rock salt instead of iodized salt. I also found out that the reason the edges were burnt because I used butter to grease my pan which is a no-no! Here are photos of my second try:
Everyone liked it! Jay, my officemates, my sister-in-law, even my Mom! I'm so happy. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)