I have been missing my favorite restaurant, Casa Roces lately. With its cozy and relax atmosphere, its friendly staff, its beautiful interior like some of its antique stuff and antler lamps and of course their to-die for food. We used to be so addicted with Casa Roces that a week will not pass without a visit to this restaurant.

But ever since the Lucky Chinatown Mall opened, we have been going to this mall to eat instead of our usual trip in Casa Roces. One of the things that I like about this newly opened mall aside from shopping is the vast choices that we have for restaurants and our favorites:

Uncle Cheffy’s

and Kogi Bulgogi.

UCC has already opened as well Red Crab, Itallianis, Bonchon and we are waiting for the opening of Cibo.

I am really glad that there is a lifestyle mall just a few minutes drive from our place, which makes Lucky Chinatown Mall the current mall favorite of our family.

It has been a while since we last hear mass at St. Jude. We often attend the 6 PM mass and novena at St. Jude every Thursday but we have no means of transportation now as Bela is using our car to go to and from school.

So when the car was available one Thursday, hubby and I took this opportunity so we can hear mass and attend the novena. I was telling hubby that I am really glad that he is my husband. We inspire each other to have a stronger faith in God. We always put God at the center of our relationship, maybe that is the reason why we are a happy family because we know that we don’t have to worry about anything, as we know that HE is in charge.

After mass, we had dinner at our favorite restaurant, Casa Roces that is within the compound of St. Jude. It became an early Valentine’s date for us as we rarely had a chance to go out on a date as a couple as we always tag along our kids wit us. LOL

The food that was served at our Manila Bay Dinner Cruise:

I have to make a review about this cruise and I have a lot of stories and warnings to share so people will know what to expect but since it is 2 AM already, I will have to defer that post for now and just leave you with this picture:

Hubby’s friend from Indonesia was here last week as he is attending training. We met up with him last Friday so we can treat him for dinner before he leaves. We picked him up at his hotel and we decided to take him to Yakimix. He said he loves to eat shabu-shabu and seafood and so we thought that Yakimix is our best bet.

It was only 8 PM when we arrived and lo and behold, there is already a long list on queue. We are number 13 on the list and who knows how long can be the waiting time. And since we are all so hungry already, we decided to just eat at Trinity Dampa instead.

We ordered buttered chilli crab and shrimp and baked oysters. Hubby’s friend was overwhelmed when the food arrived that he is asking for best weight loss supplement as we will surely need one after eating dinner.

We were so full after eating that we have no more room left for desserts. We were able to finish all the food that we ordered, no left overs. Glad we just decided to dine in at Dampa instead as it never fails to wow its customers with the great food that they offer.

Last November 14, I, hubby, my dad, my Tito June, my cousins Tessa and Joseph and my brother JP trooped to Dad’s restaurant in Ermita to watch live the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito.

We left the house around 8 AM as my brother is worried that the parking will be difficult as for sure Dad’s will be packed with the fans of Manny. The under card matches were already starting and since we did not eat breakfast (except my Tito June), we all started with the breakfast buffet. By 11 AM, they started serving lunch already and so we decided to have early lunch so we will just concentrate with the fight when it begins.

Food was really overflowing, from Japanese, American, and Filipino dish and I especially love their dessert table. But of course, when the fight begins, everybody forgot about the food and we just concentrated in watching the match.

Manny really awed me and now I am his number 1 fan. He is really the greatest boxer that has ever live (I think even better than Ali). I was so scared at first seeing how big Margarito is but Manny showed that Margarito is no match even just in the first few rounds. And just as we expected, Manny dominated the fight and successfully won his 8th World Title.

I just hope that this will not be his last fight as I just started to enjoy boxing. LOL.

It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, time, talent and not to mention money, before one can become a chef. That is why if one earns that status, he is really proud to wear his chef coat as it is his status symbol for being a true artist in the kitchen.

Restaurant owners acknowledge the great talent of these chefs and they know that the life of the best restaurant depends on how great the chef is. And so one way to give due credit to the chefs is by providing them with the best chef coats from ID by Landau.

As their tagline says “Nothing Says Chef Like a Chef Coat from ID by Landau” and this is true as they provide nothing but the best chef uniforms from coats to chef pants and even hats. Their chef coats are specially designed with the needs of the chefs in mind that is why it offers great features like a collar that reflects heat and a Houndstooth fabric that is bleach resistant.

If your chefs are dressed by ID by Landau, they will really feel recognized and special which will make your chef presentable to restaurant guests and can help make your chef be inspired to create more great food.

Similar to finding the best cell phone plans, planning meals ahead takes time and organization. However, it can save you lots of time in the end. Taking the time to work out a meal schedule can also save you money if you’re not running to the supermarket for ingredients, or to a fast food restaurant for quick meals.

Getting in the habit of sitting down once a week when things are quiet in order to make your meal plan has several immediate benefits:

- You can make one trip to the grocery store instead of several.
- Take advantage of sales to buy in bulk.
- Maximize leftovers by planning them for a meal later that week.
- Reduce your stress at dinner time by having a firm plan.
- Save money by not having to eat out as often.

To get started take an inventory of what ingredients you have on hand. Look through your fridge to find out exactly what is already there. Then look at your weekly schedule; don’t plan to make an elaborate dinner on the days the kids have piano lessons or such-- hot dogs and macaroni and cheese is just fine from time to time.

One night a week plan to make a double portion of a casserole or something else that will freeze. That way, you have one less night of cooking the following week and can just whip out that casserole and have it hot and ready on nights when you’re crunched for time.

Another option is to set aside one day on the weekend to cook and freeze the meals for the week. The downside to that is you lose a day out of your weekend when you could be spending it with your family. However you choose to handle the daily meals you will save yourself much time, energy and money if you plan ahead!

Last Sunday, we went to Serendra and had dinner at Contis. The food was really yummy, so as usual, I was so full after eating. But even though I was already full, I still manage to eat my share of Sonjas Cupcakes for dessert. Who can resist those cupcakes when it really looks yummy.

Then last Monday, we went to Bela’s school for our Parent’s Visit and PTC. After her class, we had lunch at Shakeys. I had spaghetti, mojo potatoes, chicken and pizza. (Boy I guess if I continue eating like this, I would really need the best weight loss supplement.) I even thought that I was pregnant because I always eat twice or thrice as much as I would normally eat before.

Oh well, who can say no to good food right. Especially we really miss eating Filipino food when we were away for three weeks so since we came back, Howell and I have been really pigging out. LOL.

This is what I had for lunch last Friday:


I was really not feeling well because I have colds and I was so looking forward to dismissal time already but my spirit was lightened up when my boss showed up in my room carrying the big box from Deli France.

Pesto, ham and cheese sandwich, salad, dessert and iced tea

Yum, yum. One complete meal. And before I knew it I was able to finish all of the contents of the box. Guess I was really hungry that day. LOL. (But if I remember it correctly I had rice for breakfast. LOL).

Actually I always see the Deli France tarpaulin for their set meal but I find it too expensive. So I guess I am lucky to have a very generous boss who treats his staff to lunch almost every Friday. (And I am lucky too because he gave me a good mark for my performance evaluation for this year.) So what more can I ask for?

Have you tried the Roti Supreme at Banana Leaf? We had a late afternoon snack at Banana Leaf a while ago (Although I don’t know if this is still considered as an afternoon snack – Nasi Goreng Nenas, Baby Back Ribs, Lamb, Roti Supreme). I have tried the Roti Supreme with my friends but Howell hasn’t tried it yet. Roti is one of our favorite appetizers at Banana Leaf but we haven’t tried the Roti Supreme. It is just like the ordinary Roti but it has banana fillings and you can dip it also into the curry sauce. It was so delicious as the sweetness of the banana blended well with the spiciness of the curry sauce. I thought Howell will not like it as it is a little sweet but he enjoyed it too.

Last Monday, we have to drop by our album supplier to submit for processing the album of one of our clients. On our way there, Howell made a wrong turn and instead we head towards Robinson’s Place Ermita.

I immediately look and say “Can you treat me for a sweet crepe at Crepes n’ Cream?” As it turns out, he is craving for it too so I don’t have to do a lot of convincing. He dropped me off at the drop off area of the new wing and I head straight to the Crepes n Cream booth.

As always, there is a long queue but I amuse myself while waiting for our order by watching at the crew as they prepare the orders. That’s one thing I like about Crepes n’ Creams, you can see how they work because their work area is visible to the customers so you can witness how they clean up, how they prepare the crepes, and how they maintain their sanitation.

Howell ordered his usual favorite, Banana Hazelnut while I tried the Mango sweet crepe this time. As usual, we finished our crepe in just a few minutes and we’re both happy that we we’re able to satisfy our craving again.

The breathtaking beauty of Hawaii continues to entice many to splurge on a vacation and enjoy the cool and grooving pleasure of its beaches. Vacationing tourists that comes from the different place of the globe finds it a perfect rendezvous to settle into the relaxing rhythm of the awesome views surrounding its beaches while savoring for a blissful sipped of the kona coffee and other kava roots drinks like instant kava drink mix (cocoa, spice tropical), instant kava drink fruit flavor, kava concentrate, moca super food natural energy, vegan chocolate, and other more that add a dash of romance for this exhilarating moment.

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The extraordinary natural wonders of these kava roots products which was famed and discovered by the ancient inhabitants of Hualalai Mountain 3,000 years ago, inspired www.konakavafarm.com to arduously worked and developed these amazing kava roots and make them an opiate of the masses for their very affordable prices. Because these products grew, manufactured and distributed by kona kava farm, made them invitingly inexpensive and their growing demand set a worldwide phenomenon.

There is no other product that could supply our bodies with high potency nutrients and maintain the energy needed to cope up with the fast pace of the world we live today that comes without blowing out your budget or burn a hole in your pocket, like the kona kava roots food and drink supplement. Returning home Hawaii vacationing tourists are pegged with a bag full of these products. Be among one of them and relive the balance in your life, put a tiger in your tank and place your order on the online site. You get your money back if the products failed to meet your expectation.

Last Thursday was a holiday. We just stayed at home almost the entire day because I still have a lot of backlogs to finish. After lunch, my uncle invited us to visit her daughter at Mc Donalds Retiro since I enrolled her daughter their for the kiddie crew program. Her schedule is from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.

Unfortunately Bela was still sleeping so we have to wait for her to wake up before we can go to Mc Donalds. Good thing she woke up a little past 3:00 PM. When we arrived at Mc Donalds, they are already doing their art work. Bela immediately played with her Tita Aliah and my cousin was so proud that we visited her there.

It was already their fourth day for the program and my cousin said that she really enjoyed it. She learned to be confident in front of other people, she gained new friends, and she was able to do something memorable for summer. There was a kid around 3.5 years who is part of the program so I’m planning to let my daughter join the program next year with her Tita Aliah and Tito Jego.

Here are some pictures that Howell took when we’re there.

After Mc Donalds, we invited them for a merienda, at where else, Café Monaco. We are so totally addicted to this restaurant that every time we are in the Banawe area, we always have to have a quick bite there. We ordered Bibimbop, California Roll, Beef Ramen, Mango Crepe and mixed fruits crepe. And they really enjoyed the food.

Of course Howell was not able to take a picture of the food, but here are some shots that he took while we’re in the restaurant.

Last Sunday, when my dad fetched me from work, I saw a big van with a picture of Racks famous ribs. It really made me hungry and for almost one week now I have been craving for it. Hmm, there’s a Racks restaurant at El Pueblo. Maybe, we can go there for lunch after Bela’s class on Sunday.

See, I’m already looking forward for our weekend, so have a great weekend everyone.

Peachy was right, Crepes and cream is really addicting. LOL. We we’re able to try it yesterday when we dropped by at Robinson’s Place Ermita. And it was so tasty and delicious that I really can’t get it out of my mind. And so on our way home, I have to ask my dear husband to drop me off at the Midtown wind so I can buy crepes again. I tried the Savory ground beef this time while Howell still preferred the Hazelnut Banana Chocolate which he tried yesterday.

I can’t wait for my next crepe at Crepes and Cream.

chocolate & caramel coated apple

(Photo grabbed from anton's blog)

Oh I just love these apples. I was first able to taste it in LA, at Disneyland. And I have been craving for it ever since.

Good thing, meron ng Sanfo Treats dito sa atin ngayon.