Over at Wonton

It's been quite a while since I've spent time with my dear, dear friend Harry. I missed him na talaga! We've been very good friends back in UP days. I remember the numerous lunch outs, hang time, "takas" na gimmicks and hours and hours on the phone alomst on a daily basis! My best guy friend since college =)

Wel, as you get older, lifestyles change, schedules change and little by little days separate you and before you know it...months have passed or sometimes years. Nevertheless, I believe that no matter how long or how far two friends have been separated, when they come together again, it's like that gap is just a mere day. Don't you believe so? I do.

Yesterday we finally got the chance to catch up...over a little merienda at Wonton in Greenhills, a small and simple chinese resto. We did more talking than eating.

Siomai for me

Siopao for Harry

It was great to see him again! We both bicker about how old we are now...how we seem to be bored with the monotony of rutinary life sometimes; how we crave for a little excitement; how tamad we get to go gimmicking at spiffy bars (which the ideal of used to excite our socks-off when we were back in College).

I can't help but feel nostalgic. I thought about the good ol' days....One great life factor we had in common back then, was that we both had awfully strict parents! Our curfews are unbelievable, I tell you. Our social lives was close to being non-existent! hahahaha---well night life lang naman :p When we do get the chance to go out at night, as bad as mga 9pm pa lang our cell phones will be ringing at manlalamig na kame kase we know it means we need to head home! But during the time we spend in school we enjoy our free cuts to the utmost level! Katipunan Avenue was our canteen! Cars were our study hall. Life was still very much fun back then, even with minimal party time =) hahahha I remember talking hours and hours on the phone about anything and everything. After college we still kept close, seeing eachother through good and bad times...love and heartaches...success and defeat. I guess it only these past months or year na ba (?), that we haven't been as close as we did.

So glad our schedules finally met! It was great spending time with you my friend--pero bitin..bitin!!!

One lesson I've learned in life (before 30): Love may come and go, but real friends stay forever.

On a Cookie Frenzy

Elaine & I were well on our way to the gym to take the body jam class. She says to me, " Jen, we need to stop by my uncle's house to drop-off cookies I made...you wana try o diet ka?". I looked at her meaningfully and told her "NO WAY AM I on a diet noh!" bwhahaha and got myself an oatmeal cookie and a chocolate cookie from the container! I go, "sarap nito with black coffee"...she broke off some parts of the cookie I was eating and says to me "sarap nito with ice cream!"....we looked at eachother, smiled and drove to the nearest McDo to take out some ice cream! We ordered vanilla ice cream cones na di namin pinalagay sa cone, but rather in cups!!! hahaha They placed our ice cream in small drinking cups, and when the McDo person handed them to us ...."ang konti naman, pwede padagdag??? PLEAAAAASE " we pleaded with our most ice cream destituted look! hahaha It worked! ;P

We threw-in the cookies pieces in the white glory of the McDo soft serve and ate our delectable dessert duo with great gusto!!!

Oh boy did we enjoy our cookie-ice cream treat..so much that we drove back to her apartment to replenish our cookie supply.

The cokie drive-by: Here is manang bringing us the our cookie refill =)

What sugar high we were in, after having 6 cookies each!!!!!! Grabe---we were both so jolly, jumpy and giggly---sugar makes people happy, indeed =). A very good thing we were heading to the gym--if you had seen us dance that evening----all that James Brown and Pas de Bourrée done with such vigor hahaha!!! I just hope we burned off all that sugar! hahahahaha

Sometimes the best moments in life come from the simplest of things. Sweet cookies + cheap ice cream + great friendship = rolls of laughter =D .... One need not spend a lot for good times, right?

Show I'm Lovin' Now...

I love watching the food network, as I love learning new recipes and cooking techniques from cool chefs. Its just basically amusing to watch making good food, don't you think?

Aside from Tyler Florence, another cute chef has captured my minimal TV attention time, and he is none other than the Naked Chef...Jamie Oliver! =)

He is so adorable! I really like watching him on Oliver's Twist, his new TV show on the FoodNetwork, where he whips up amazing meals and desserts in an apartment set up and have friends over to dine with. Cute noh?! They way he moves in the kitchen is sooo cool, easy goin' and laid back...oh and that British accent IS, by all means, a plus factor!!!! =)

What a guy ei? =)

Think Green

Sometimes the body naturally craves for something healthy. I brought my sis Che to Greens, a vegetarian restaurant, tucked away on one of the side streets near Roces. It is situated near Wheatberry's, Max's Fried Chicken and the new location of Zuccini (I am anticipating it's opening=D )

It's like a small house, with a garden up front and simple interiors, turned into a restaurant. NO MEAT HERE! 100% Vegan!

We had the spinach soup.

It's a clear, grassy soup!!! hahahaha You have to season it with salt and pepper for taste! ;P

Here are the vegetable sticks...

...they are sticks of carrots and bagiuo beans battered and fried. It could have been better if they were more kakaiage like...the batter was like that of a camaron rebusado! hehehhe It was k naman and filling.

I had the Tofu Kebabs.

Cubes of Tofu, zucchini, botton mushrooms, bell peppers, faux pork pieces (pretending to be bb hehehe) They were actually good, although the tofu--is tokwa ;P the firmer tofu variety---maybe chosen to hold up while being grilled?



My sis had the Shepherd's Pie

It had broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and sponge gourd pieces topped with mashed potatoes. It was served with wheat bread and a side of more vegetables!!! (see chopped cucumbers and tomato siding)

It's a great place for heart friendly and healthy eating. They also serve brown rice, fyi! =)

A Pretty Bakery Cafe: Mom & Tina's

I read about Mom & Tina's Bakery Cafe on one of Ms. Lori Baltazaars post on dessertcomesfirst. I actually stumbled upon it on our way back home from our recent trip to Pagsanjan Falls, when we had dinner at Panceria San Jacinto, which is on the same compound as this pretty bakery cafe. I vowed to visit it and try some of their goodies, as they all look so enticing and the place a lovely hang out =)

During breakfast with Kitty-pooh and Sal, I told them about this place. Fortunately, I stirred up the foodie curiosity of Sal, so after breakfast, we headed on to C5. Mom and Tina's is located complex situated along C5, just across Tiendesitas.

Look at the dislpay of yummy looking pastries!!! They had brownies, food for the gods, Brazo de Mercedes, cupcakes, muffins...it goes on and on....


On the other display are the breads...a slection of filled pan de sals, empanadas, cookies, meringues...

Loaves of wheat, wheat rasin, mongo and cheese breads!

Carbohydrate overload to at its MAXIMUM level!!! They have display refs/freezer with an array of ice cream tortes, cakes and more cookies and goodies to bring home.

The interior is just so adorable.... ...so girly and homey. I like the comfy couches. The whole feel of the place is "dainty".


This is what we picked out from the ref...it's called Dark Chocolate Torte

It's vanilla and chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate chunks and a dacquiose like layer in between the ice cream combo.

From the bread section, we chose to try one sausage and one cheese pan de sal.

The bread is somewhat like egg pan de sal. See the yellowish finish of the bread?... They are soft, sweetish and rich tasting. The sign says "white cheese pan de sal", but when we bit into it...it was just like quickmelt cheese with butter ;P...nevertheless...cheese and butter---always a good combination don't you think? On the other hand, the sausage was ok. Php 12.00 each, a bit pricey for such a small piece?--a bit =)

We also tried the chicken empanada

The crust was very flaky! reminded me of Hopia actually =) The filling had too many potatoes and too little chicken which made it somewhat like samosas to me =) This is not one of my preferred chicken emps...but it was ok naman at Php 24.00 lang

We had fun sampling several goodies their--feeling like food critiques ba? hehehe. Sal brought home a big tub of chocolate torte and several filled pan de sals. They also had pastas, salads and entrees on the menu that seems worth coming back for a try.

After that we headed to Shopwise to do a littlle grocery shopping and then headed home.

Thanks Sally!!! It's always fun hanging with you! I miss our Sunday Market trips na din=)

Breakfast with the Girls

Sunday morning, I had breakfast with my girls' Sal and Kitty. I wasn't able to join them for "walking" in U.P., so Kat just picked me up from the house and we met up with Sal at Figaro outside our village.

Bottomless Cafe Americano for breakfast!!!! An absolutely great deal for me!!! =) Super sulit, I had 4 cups of these (may self-control pa yun ah! )

We always like sharing our food. We had the Bacon and Eggs

It had creamy scrambled eggs with a few bacon pieces (which I wished were fried to a crisp), side salad and 2 slices of toast.

We also had the Mushroom Omelette, which had a side salad and toast as well.

It was a great day tp perk up a lazy Sunday morning...good friends, good breakfast and lots of coffee!!!!!!!!! =) Yey!

Flower of The Lily =)

I haven't visited Fleur de Lys fro quite a while now. This nice pastry shop, located at the Vicky Belo building in Tomas Morato. How appropriate, don you think? After eating calorie ladened cakes & pastries..one may run to Vicky Belo for instant Liposuction!!!! hahahahhaa ;P

My sister's and I had some desserts there---it was a rainy afternon, and we just wanted to have a little break on a Saturday work day.

Both my sisters had the Madacamia Nut pie...served with a small scoop of Pistachio ice cream....

I wasn't in the mood for cake that day. I saw a basket of cookies...and picked out the Dark Chocolate Chip Rum Raisin Cookies....Php 80.00 for 4 pcs

I asked the waitress to serve one cookie for me...instructed her to warm it up and put a scoop of vanilla ice cream =) and...

Voila!!!!

...exactly what the doctor ordered! I so was happy she obliged to my somewhat finicky request. A nice hot and cold combination treat! I had it with a big cup of black coffee ...I love the contrasting temperatures and tastes...warm sweet cookie (loved the rum-raisin duo with the chunky dark chocolate bits) ...cold creamy vanilla ice cream, that was great to bring down the sweetness of the cookie with each bite and hot bitter coffee to highten all the flavors! I find that drinking strong black coffee really sets the palate while enjoying rich and sweet flavors...so a little dessert goes a long way!!! I love it!

A perfect rainy afternoon escape =)

Cocktails in Bloom

Elaine and I went to an cocktail party thrown by Robert Blancaflor. He is quite popular in the bridal industry, providing design and florist service.
It was his birthday cum opening of his new office, in Pasig. This was the buffet spread by Via Mare...a nice black and white theme.

Carbohydrate overload!!! They served mini Laguna cheese pan de sal, mini sandwiches, pasta alfredo, more bread, eclairs, food for the gods, fruit salad and chicken lollipops.

It was a different experience, meeting various people in the Wedding world. Amoong the familiar names I met was Penk Ching. How timely as I am still helping out with my shobe's up coming wedding. I got her some new contacts =)

Picture Sharing: Shooting the Rapids

Here is the pic of my sis Che, Moi and my Dad during our river ride towards Pagsanjan falls =) They sell these pics for Php 100.00 a pop! hehehehe

Off to Pagsanjan Falls....

My cousins wanted to take their kids to Pagsanjan falls for a little nature trip. ur family took a day off from work to accommodate their request. For the love of children =)

I have never been to Pagsanjan..I don't think I have never seen waterfalls in real life, so it was a good expience for me.

Traffic was horrible!!!! It was a Monday, and we couldn't believe the severty of traffic jam we were in! Ganun ba kadame ang waterfalls fans???

When we gt out of the rut, we stopped for lunch at a small resto, recommended by a friend of my cousin. Durafe Restaurant. It is stuated along roadside. with NO AIR-CONDITIONING!!!! Naku po! This was the major set back, specially when it was scorching hot outside!!!!

This was supposed to be the house specialty...the Durafe pancit....

It's like fettuccine pasta...na pi-nan-cit-ify with sweetish sauce. Well, for me..I didn't find anything great about it....but it was ok.

We had the sweet and sour fish...which had a funny yellowish sauce!!!!

This was the chicken adobo..but I didn't get to try it.

We also had fried chicken (with orange colored sauce!! They really seem to fancy using food coloring), which turned out to be really good actually, and beef ampalaya.

I wish we had tried a different resto, but then all inthe name of adventure I guess this was ok.

After lunch, we went back on our tracks to seek the falls. We stopped at this area where you have to leave your car and take a canoe ride along the river. No pics here because I left my phone in the car.

That was the amazing part for me. It was a 2 hour ride along the rapids and along side you see lush greens and foliage. It was astounding! Nature is indeed beautiful and despite the heat of the sun, the ride was relaxing. The river widens and narrows and at times the bankeros would have to lift the bankas over steel posts layed on rocks, so that we may pass throughit. Good work out! hahahaha When we reached the end of the river, we had to take a brief raft ride towards the falls. I was surprised at how small the falls was!!!!! The raft would take all of us through the falls. It felt like going through a typhoon! Painful on the head but bareable. It was a short experience, but when the bankero asked if we wanted another go---I said NO!!! ;PI'll try it once but not twice! hahahaha

The river ride back was even more fun than the ride goin to because it started to rain and we were all drenched already!!! I love how the rain fell on me while it was sun down and starting to get cool and breezy. ..watching the greens and foliage once more...it was beautiful indeed =)

Full Family Fun Day Sunday!!!

My cousins' family is in town from L.A. and we threw a little get together for them and invited our other cousin's family and my brothers. We hired a japanese chef ...(err..well cook lang ata..he was not the gourmande jap chefs you'd find in fancy shmanzy jap retos if you know what I mean, hehehe but he was good) We had simple jap food lined up for him to cook and prepare.

These were the tiger prawns being preped up tp become tempuras....

How neatly he slitted the backs of the prawns so that they won't curl when fried in the boiling pool of oil....

Well, they turned out to be great and madame pala!!! I didn't get a good pic of the tempuras as we were all so busy devuring them as they came out from the kitchen (sarap when piping hot!!!!) I also requested kakaiages (they are my favorite) =)

I was able to snap a pic as he was making the maki, sushi and sashimi platters

He was able to make around 5 or 7 of these...yikes...japaneseOVER LOAD!!! We had oo much left UNTOUCHED!!! aAnybody interested ain few days of maki, sushi and sashimi platters??? =)

Let's see..there is california maki, ebi maki, tuna maki, kani maki, ebi sushi, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi...just the old time favorites =)

A top of the Jap line up, we had our home made goodies of kiddie sapghetti , bbq, roast chicken (we made 6!), inihaw na liempo, menudo (this was out of line)..to add variety because we had kids there too (kasali ak dito ;P hehehehe)

The dessert line up was simple...here is the Frozen Tiramisu from Cakes to G0

Baked Blueberry cheesecake made by my atsi =) Soooo good!

And several lianeras of Leche Flans

The best part of the party aside from great food is being together with family =) My nieces and nephews seems to have all grown so much since last time I saw them. How time flies noh? Well, if the babies are all grown up, then I would be...... =Phappy! hahahahahah Please...don't do the math!!!!

Can you belive this was all just for lunch???? Yes my friends...we ate out for dinner =) bwahahahaha to meet with some other cousins pa!!! Talk about Sunday being a family day---we took it up a notch this time!!!

Night Cap at Dome

Elaine and I went for a night cap at Dome...she told me the chocolate cake was good daw, so we tried it as oposed to goin back to the usual Starbucks.

We chose this fallen chocolate cake....hmmm that really did look FALLEN!!!

We are never really that fussy with our food..but we just had t return this because it looked like the waiter stepped on it before it gt placed on out plate =) hahahaha

I chose to have an affogato...to get my caffeine and ice cream fix at the same time--hit two birds with one stone! hahaha

The espresso was strong..the ice cream scoop just about right..not too much not too little, so that you end up with a creamy latte like finale sip!

Instead of the chocolate cake, we had the Carrot cake....

...which turned ut to be really, really good! We were both surprised! The cake had a moist crumb that was not dense nor crumbly. No hint of cinnamon here but it was really good carrot cake..one of my favorite now =) The cream cheese frosting was great as well...perfectly complimenting the cake!

We had lovely chit chat for hours...what lengths a carrot cake and affogato can take two people noh? hahaha

Why do I blog with food, food and more food?? It's because I feel that, great experiences are best complimented by good food, like when we eat out or throw a party to celebrate a special event, day or moment in our lives. How delicious it is to relish fond memories with friends and loved ones by associating them with places and food that you have shared and been to. Don't you think so? I think so. I like it how I remember or think of certain people when I am at certain restaurants or eating a particular food. =) (basta mag work out ka after!!!!!----harharhar ;P)

Just to Share...

Just wana post..delicious oooeyy...goeeey flamming cheese from Cyma =) How it bubbles with butter...a squirt of lemon as the bottom lightly chars to a crisp.....enjoy with bruschetta....yummm

With that..a Roka Pasta...a vegan pasta dish..light to the palate..

but I like the Salata version more =)

.....Made reservations for two....a Vegan dinner for me and you! ;P hahahha

Shu Uemura Sale!!!

Rustan's Makati is hot hot hot with sales going on for almost anythng! My friend Elainey texted me the invite to the Shu uemura sale with a line---tara Jen let's go!!!!

Before going to Makati, we needed to drop by Ortigas for a short "work" side trip, so and our little shopping jaunt was delayed a bit due to traffic!!!!! Nevertheless, we still managed to get there early with our spirits unwaivered for our great sale day scrimmage! A great way to exercise..walking around..trying things on...and breaking the bank?!hahhaha

Let me just say..it was a successful shopping day =)

Saturday Night Out (SNO) =)

Its was a real rarity that I found myself stuck in the office 'till early evening...on a SATURDAY---yes..even my friends found it quite strange too. Nevertheless, it was fine---work is good right?! =)

My goo friend Kirby fetched me from the office around 7pm and meet up with our friends (Oli, Ven, Matt, Shir, Jackie & her BF and my dears--Elaine andd Gwen)

I was famished!!!!How sweet was Elaine t bring me some homemade TSIA TAU KHE also known as Raddish Cake! Yummmm!!!! We wee actually chatting before we met up and she told me she made some and asked if I wanted some! absolutely! How did I want them she asked---thinly sliced and fried to a golden crisp! ---with ketchup! ;P

Here they are......

...well, wht was left of them! hahha I cut them up into small pieces to share with everyone nd when I remembered to take a pic...these were the few pieces left! hahaha And yes, Elainey brought some ketchup as well! Thank you girl friend!!!! MWH!!! =)

The raddish cakes were quite filling, so we decide to share this Chicken gyro plate.

It had grilled chicken, tzatziki, tabouleh, hummus and mediterrnen rice pillaf (which had sultanas, pine nuts and a ash of cinnamon---I like! =D) I like raisin in svory food. You can actually chose to have either pita bread or cousous with this, we just felt like having rice tht night, although, pita breadwould have been great since it came with those great dips =)

I didn't get the chance to check out the food of the rest of the gang....wasn't able stop any of them for pic taking before diving their forks into their plates!hahahaha Well, I don't want to stnd in the way of a hungry mouth and food ...baka ako pa ang ma fork nila! hahhaha ;P

Goodies from Ilo-ilo

My friend Elaine just came home from Ilo-ilo. I missed her, even if she was only away for a couple of days!!!

When she texted me that she was in Manila that day...we immediately met up to catch up!!!! We went to Promenade and shared stories..ater stories..over a Funghi Pizza Ovale!!!! What could be better right? =)

Here is my pasalubong..... a box of Goat's Milk Barquilos...

these are really good...they melt away in your mouth and very light in texture. Great with hot choco or ice cream =) It's made with goat's milk which makes it special and whiter.

It came with several bags of Biscocho house biscocho too! My sisters took away their stashes already! hahaha


They are buttery and crispy! You can munch and munch and munch them away mindlessly and before you know it...you are left with an empty bag! =)

Welcome home girl! Thank you very much for the goodies!!!

2007 Wedding #2: Shawie's Wedding

My 2nd wedding for this year is very special to me, for it is the wedding of my very, very dear friend Sharon! Wow..how time flies...and such an exciting day!

Woke up early and soaked my face in ICE water....wore bodyshop eyemask and hydrated myself to the maximum level! I had to look fresh! Our pictorial was set 12:30 at Renaissance, so I had to have my hair and make up done at 10am!!! I had an appointment at Studio 546. I made it on time and finshed just in the nick of time. I wasn't the only girl there having my hair and make-up done that morning, believe me! hahha

The pictorial was done about 2:30 already so we headed on straight to the Manila Cathedral for the ceremony. It was great. Solemn. Beautiful!!! Shawie and Alvin really look ed great. My dearest was stunning in her dress by Debbie Co (who happens to be our friend as well, and the maid of honor).

We all proceeded to Makati after the ceremony. Mike, Michelle and I had time for some coffee to charge up since dinner was set at 7pm.

We went to the ballroom and enjoyed the program and dinner.

This is moi..standing by the towering wedding cake by Sugar Box...

Congratulations and Best wishes to Alvin and Shawie!!! I wish all the best that life has to offer....lots of beatutiful children and a marriage over-flowing with love! Love you mare!!!!!

Dinner at Apartment 1B

After a great shopping Zara-sale escapade with my buddy Mike, we decided to have dinner at Apartment 1B =) Last time we were there, we only gt the chance to sample their desserts.

This time we were here to dine! We were both famished from an exhausting sale day.

Mikey had the Grilled Porchops with Applesauce, Corn-Potato Gratin and Veggies

He declared it to be really good. The applesauce complimented the the pork chops which was cooked tenderly.

I had the Herb Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes

The chicken was very tender! Even the breast meat was very succulent! I was able too finishe the whole thing! Yes my friends! Everything you see on my plate..wiped out!!!! =)

This left me with a stomach ache and indigestion! hahahahha Definitely no room for dessert.

Real comfort food here...a bit pricey but I would say worth experiencing but not frequenting on a regular basis!