Pizza Hut Bistro

Yesterday, Aleli, Gail and I bonded for the nth time.  It was a surprised escape; we decided to go to Gateway since it was the most accessible place to hang out. We actually invited some our friends, but they beg not to go so then we deal with it. As we roam around we find ourselves hungry, so we search for place to dine.

We landed in Pizza hut bistro, at first we are not really sure why we decided to dine here. We are just loafing around but then BOOM! Lol. Sarah (our server) approach us and show our way to our designated seats.  She placed the menu in front of us and suggests some items that are new to their menu. Still we are not yet sure if we our going to get orders or not…. but we are already here so we go on.

The ambience was different from a usual store, the tone of the store is good for corporate venue and romantic dates. The magnificent view of skyline can be seen in the store windows, we can barely see as the shines turns to dark sky. But then, we don’t feel much comfortable.  Since the room was fully crowded the air-conditioning unit can not supply enough coldness within the store, aside from that the tables and chairs arrangement are too close.  I’m much concern with the servers because they can’t move easily. Sigh…

Scratch that….

Aleli

We ordered a pan of Bacon Cheezeburger Cheesy pops pizza  with cheesy dip.

Bacon Cheezeburger Pizza for 415.00 pesos and additional 35.00 pesos for cheese dip

A plate of Texas Bake.

Texas Bake for 159.00 pesos

A spiral pasta in meatsauce topped with mozzarella cheese and strip of red bell pepper. Yum! it really taste good, I really recommend this to those who loves pasta.

And a six Wingstreet of Mild Buffalo wings

Gail and Me

I don't  have good picture of this,but  it taste sweeter but if you want a bit on the spice side, you can have the medium or better yet the Hot and spicy buffalo wings.

It was already 7.30 when we end filling up our tummy with these sumptuous meals.  We have gain more as expected. Right after it, we look for a place where we can enjoy more…. And we ended up in Timezone.. Yahoo…  we try to find a game where we can enjoy but all of them are :P so go on a videoke booth and enjoy our 100peso swipe card…. And the rest as they say is history. Lol.

It was truly a once in a lifetime activity between the three of us.  We are hoping we can do it again on our next meeting!:)

Food Score: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Place:3/5

Le Bistro

Sustainable Coffees


The power of friendship lives on as we unite to celebrate aying's birthday.

It feels so great  to be with those people who you become close for the past four years in college. Gee! I was really thrilled to see them, with our excitement we plan this day to have a coffee break and most specially to see our dear friend Ron in the store.

6 months have past and seems no one have changed, those faces, the sound of their giggles haha everything makes me so happy. Bunch of stories, laughter and experiences are shared in our four hour stay in the store. we are supremely excited to see each other for the first time.

Le Bistro was a casual dining patronizing the fresh local ingredients available in the country. They help the coffee farmers to around the country by providing livelihood programs and technical assistance in order to provide growth in coffee farming.  Sustainable coffee means utilizing the locally grown coffees from the northern to southern part of the Philippines.

There advocacy is "Locavorism" which according to Le Bistro ; they make sure that there products are locally-soured, organic and natural.

The ambiance was different from an ordinary store, its vibrant green color makes you feel alive and exciting. all tables and chairs looks so comfy and very inviting to dine in.

And here are some of the foods we dig in.

Full House for 275.00 php

Red Velvet 

Chocolate

Caramel Cappucino

Blueberry Cheesecake 109.00php

Chocolate Cupcake for 25.00php

Nothing seems so spectacular with the food we dine in but the experience that we have cherish makes it unforgettable. thanks to our good server which I forgot to ask his name, who provide us plenty of water refills.lol.

Le Bistro
Food Score: 5/5
Place:4/5
Service:5/5


Location: Paseo Uno dE Calamba, Paciano, Calamba City, Laguna

Day Off

The moment you spend your first earnings for your own pleasures was truly rewarding. By giving yourself a treat makes you have a soaring level of satisfaction.

Yesterday, I have to chance to discover two of the best hubs in LB. The Faustina’s and Dalcielo.

Faustina’s

A modern casual dining restaurant located near Raymundo Gate. The store looks really expensive at first glance, an impression of a high end resto but on the contrary they offer sumptuous food that will really fits your budget. The ambience of the store was designed to feel relaxed and be stressed free.  The yellow lights and refreshing wall color makes me feel cozy and homey.

Entrance

Though the store was a bit small (24 person in the room 4 sits per table)  they  provide a lot of things to offer. They have a wide variety of dishes where you can really choose from appetizers to desserts. But for now, I have guiltless feel to try new things which seems to be interesting in there list.

I tried out the Spaghetti meatbombs (131.00 php regular  order) sounds cools right? It was a  basic spaghetti with meatballs but the difference is…. The meatballs are hidden under the spaghetti sauce.

 The meatballs are really bombs; it literally explodes flavor in every bite. Each taste complements the real tomato flavor spaghetti. The pasta was cooked..seasoned perfectly and I enjoyed it much.

I paired it with cold cranberry-rasberry tea (60.00php). I suppose it should be sweet and refreshing but ironically. L I was unhappy with the tea, it taste blunt.

Jerz tried out the classic crispy bacon alfredo(125.00 php regular order). Pasta loaded with alfredo sauce and topped with lot’s and lot’s of crispy bacons. Actually, it really looks overloaded enough to feel your hungry appetite.

And a sweet cold Mango Shake for 65.00 php completes jerz Meal.

We are tastefully full in that evening. ;) but we are hungry for dessert.  So we walk our way down to Agapita to grab a taste of Dalcielo.

Dalcielo

This new patisserie was one of it’s kind in elbi. It was totally unique idea to combine pastry with some kind of elegance. Something that most  “elbians” are not used to. The store was located along the Lopez road beside the famous V-lounge Spa.

Pastries will welcomes you as you enter the store premise. These little goodies are guiltlessly tantalizing to the eyes. It was very inviting to try each and every one of which. All those mouth watering treat looks very indulging.

For me, cream puff is one of the best. The combination of crisp and cream really blends well. The custard filling was just right, it complements with the sweetness of the bread.

Cream puff 

I © cream puff.

Pink Lemonade

To balance the flavor, I got to try their pink lemonade. A strawberry flavored lemonade for only 45.00php. The sweetness and the citrus flavor of the lemon makes it really so exciting. There is kick in every zip! I really recommend this. C

I believe there more things and places in LB to find out but this two really stands out. i cant wait to come back again and dine.

Faustina's

Food score: 4/5
place: 4/5
Service: 5/5


Dalcielo's
Food Scors: 5/5
Place: 5/5
Service:4/5

KFC Streetwise spoonfuls

Recently, KFC launch it’s new line of creamy desserts which includes the Mango Cheescake, chocolate Tiramisu, Chocolate Banana Cream Pie and the all time favorite chocolate mousse. 

The rare opportunity to taste this new line was so pleasurable. These sweet desserts are too guiltless and worth trying. And having the chance to have it in one sitting was an incredible experience.  What kind experience? It’s for you to find out!

Make it a habit to try each desserts in every visit in your nearest KFC store for a very affordable price of 29.00 pesos each.

Remember when it’s KFC…its  So Good. 

Get bonded

Lately, I can’t get out from my busy work shadows and at some point leisure became too distant. I became more interested for having a job opportunity without having a 100% secured of work.  Why do I say so? Because my work requires a lot of qualifications and examinations in order to get our deal job. Although, I was well compensated the work itself was much challenging ever than I expected. The basic training was too intensive and rigorous. And the only best thing to do, is to find a gateway were I can be relaxed and stressed-free.

Recently, Jerome invited me to have a common rest day but unfortunately I disagree with his request. My work follows a strict training schedule and yet I don’t have the right to dictate my own schedule. Even I wanted to do so, the thing is that it’s beyond my discretion.

But last Saturday after my AM shift, I received message from Jerz that he will go out together with our friend Yuki in SM Calamba. At that time, I was planning to go home early and have a good rest but I was persuaded of my own jealousy and desires. Having a chance to see them was a great thing for me, I missed them very much. So without any further a do, I decided to go and meet them even I don’t have enough cash to feed my own cravings. In addition, I was totally unprepared. I zipped my jacket to cover my vivid orange color polo. Ssshsss (propably some of you are guessing my job was….?) nevermind. Together with my co-training Jen we decided to catch a jeep that will bring us to SM as soon as possible. And fortunately, we made it by getting to Sn.Pedro terminal.

The whole 1 hr jeepney ride from Sn. Pedro to Calamba was part of our every day routine, aside from the 30 mins traffic in Real as well as in Mamatid and Parian was stressful. Since Jen will have a date together with his boyfriend we separate our ways as we enter the main mall lobby.  

I was able to see Yuki and Jerz by 6pm while having there simple talk over there coffee frappes in Starbucks. Seems like both of them are looking great and in shape. I guess they are really happy with what they have as of today.  I am very glad to be with them in flesh once again (hahaha). My unspeakable happiness was seen in our stories and stolen photos in that evening.  I can’t wait to be tagged on my wall.

After a while, we decided to leave and find a place to have a sumptuous dinner.  But then we waited for our friend Dustin to arrive. While waiting, Jerz grab the chance to buy a leather case for his new handset. Even if it was not listed on his budget, he decided to purchase just to protect his phone from scratches and to give it a whole new look. Right after, I saw Yuki running after Dustin, (OA brisk walk lng daw haha). After that quixotic moment, we finally we decides where to eat.

Apparently, we would like to have it at Max restaurant but it was beyond our cash limits. So we settled ourselves in TOSH (The Old Spaghetti House). I met my alma mater Ma’am Myca who’s in fact the AA of the store. She provides us the menu and a personal service of her own. She recommends us her best seller like the pasta negra and puttanesca which we purchase afterwards.

I was hesistant to try Jerz Pasta Negra (145.00php) since it may trigger my allergies. But it somehow captivates my eyes to try just a fork full of it. Which I did, the black pasta was immense with squid ink top with real chopped squids. It was really flavorful and perfectly seasoned in every savor.

Pasta Negra 

Puttanesca

Mine was pusttanesca (135.00php). Classic taste of pasta combined with real tomato sauce, olives, basil and parmesan cheese. It was bursting of these four flavors. I was astounded in every taste; it wasn’t too tangy, just right for every bite. To complete my cover I paired it with Strawberry Yogurt(105.00php).

Strawberry yogurt

Both Yuki and Dustin consume pasta meals. A combination of golden crusted chicken, ham, and cheese crepe, with angel hair pomodoro. The crepe taste like as chicken cordon blue but way better. Dip it with the side sauce was truly exceptional. The angel hair pomodoro was a bit blunt to yuki’s distinct palate. Which I also agree, maybe we prefer more the regular pasta than the thinly hair pasta.

Golden Crusted chicken, ham, and chesse crepe, with angel hair pomodoro

My friend Myca came back to our table and ask us if we want to avail there free dessert plate. Which really seems a good deal, but before that we must purchase another item before we can avail the free item.

We can never go wrong with pizza. So by anonymous decision, we agreed to have the 3 cheese pizza. It wasn’t look like pizza at first glance but if you will look a little closer it is pizza. This super thin pizza top with mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar cheese taste well. It wasn’t salty and not to sweet at the same time. The more you have this pizza, the more you will enjoy.

We also try to eat this pizza on a different way, rolling a sliced pizza brings out more of its cheesy flavor. Super YUM! We really enjoyed it!

And lastly our free dessert plate Golden oreo cookie ala mode, funnel cake with creme, and frozen mud pie. This trio dessert made our sugar on rush. The golden cookie ala mode was the cream of the crowd. The vanilla ice cream blends well with the cookies although we don’t like the batter of the cookies. It tastes like egg batter or whatever so we separate the cover and the Oreos ;), the funnel cake with crème is sweet. I like it better compare with the ala mode, the choco-caramel and crème are super indulging. I can’t wait to try it again. Frozen mud? I guess it wasn’t the frozen mud. We never dare to try, it looks unpleasant and very unappetizing even it was drizzled with my favorite fruit dessert which is strawberry. I’m sorry for that but it was a bit odd looking dessert yikes.

Golden Oreo Cookie Ala mode

Funnel Cake with creme 

We end the evening by taking photos and sharing a bunch of stories. We enjoyed so much and haven’t realized that the mall was starting to close its doors. ;) it was fun and pleasurable to have time with my friends once again. I can’t wait for the next surprise date! ;)

Food Score:
4/5
Service:5/5
Place:5/5


Located at the SM Calamba, Laguna


***credits to our talented photo enthusiast Dustin Baldemor, to Ma'am Myca for giving great discount, and to Jerz for organizing the date ;)

So far So Good

I made it! my finger tips are hungry to chat down my food trips, though I don't have much this season. Even i have I cant manage to post it on my wall and that makes me frustrated but not totally... weird right? an unexplained feeling. 

 I'm very more focused in doing my profession and consequently I have to sacrifice some of my indulgence in life. except this blog. In fact, my list of food trips was narrow down due to my stiff schedule and for some "secret" reasons. In every way I wanted to share some of trips with you but I better think twice for my own securities sake. I don't want to elaborate more of this blah blah blah... just leave it on me and after this I promise to give you better reviews.

 I can't assure you I can post every now and then but 1 thing is for sure food curiosity is not yet over. 

Siomai nakakaumay

Siomai house became popular for students who only have few budget for food. Imagine, for less than thirty pesos you can already enjoy a short lunch. complete with 3 siomais and 1 cup of rice, this means a lot for students who saves a lot on there baon.

Truly this simple, cheap and delicious soimai became the towns favorite food. Although, numerous of negative feedback brought out regarding the cleanliness and food handling of siomai, still many consumer especially students continues to patronize siomai rice meals. Seems the unwaverring demand of siomai   have increased and large number of siomai houses have already branch out not only in Elbi but also in the nearby cities like Calamba and San Pablo. 

This afternoon, I find myself craving for soimai. yee honestly, I wasn't a fan of this dish though my appetite never resist temptation so I grab the opportunity to purchase 6 pieces of Siomai (30.00 php). Suddenly, rain poured out so i decided to dine it out, and enjoy it at home. 

Finally i arrived at home. after the 30 mins of jeepney ride, the siomai remains it's moist and shape. The steam suffuses as I open the wrapper, and the smell indicates the freshness of the meat. with my excitement, i scoop a cup of rice on a plate and prepare my toyomansi on the side yum yum... guarded with spoon and fork i'm ready to battle with a plate of umamay siomai. 

The taste was really exceptional, ulala sa tabang! lol! it's really beyond my expectation. I must say, the taste was super sacrificed due to the large demand. I was disappointed though, I must finished this meal. yeah.. all those six pieces taste blunt. I add up worcestershire sauce to enhance it taste. Though the taste was not good as the original recipe, it was way made better. Gosh, the original taste of the elbi siomai was diminished by the public demand. I hope they can do something to it or else siomai trip will be  rid off of everybodies elbi food trip.

Papus Siomai in front of Robinson Town Mall, beside chooks to go.

Food Score: 2/5    

         Service:2/5      

         Place:1/5

*credits to the owner of the photo :) thanks.

To be identified....

The Food Curiosity Logo 

Nestle Philippines Kasambuhay Habambuhay

"Tingala sa baba"

Chillet

The name chillet was derived from it’s owner Che and Millet  Abrigo.  Most of the time they are mistaken as siblings because of there sister relationship but truth is they are cousins. I have already met them during my case study days.  They are really good person inside and out. Both of them are accommodating and easy to be with. I never feel awkwardness or any discomfort in conducting interviews with them. as I the interviews goes on, I really found chillet as one of the café shop in elbi to be interesting. And I promised them that I will come back to enjoy there own treats.

After 6 months….

As I promised I went back to chillet. Along with my friend Jerome, we relieved our stress by having a break. Since it was our first time, I decided to choose the items which are new to my senses. Few days back, I’m craving for vanilla ice cream. But I don’t have time to drop by in convenience store and rather go home and sleep. But today is the day; I order the ICE CREAM IN A ROLL (40.00 php) and cold cup CAPUCHILLET (40.00 php). On the other hand my friend Jerz orders the hot version of CAPUCHILLET (40.00php).

Ice Cream in a Roll

The ice cream in a roll is worth trying. It’s a twisted sandwich with a spread/filling of your choice either peanut butter, chocolate, or caramel and filled with vanilla ice cream. I selected the chocolate and caramel combination. Even if the bread is quite tough, the sweetness and the softness of the ice cream really blends well. Yummy! It really tastes good!

HotvsCold Capuchillet.

Hot Capuchillet

Cold Capuchillet

Capuchillet is the version of cappuccino in chillet. I not normally drink coffee, but this time I have to give it a try. Cold cappuchillet taste a bit bitter compare to the other version. I prefer more the hot one, it’s sweet with lot’s of cinnamon powder on top. J

We are really satisfied having a great time in chillet. I will surely back and tried out there recommendations:

• Fresh Lemonade
• Frozen Yogurt
• Creamy Chicken Alfredo

Food Ratings: 4/5   Service: 4/5   Place:4/5

Chicken Day

Kapag Fried Chicken

After encountering a hot headed security guard we landed our feet in KFC in roses ave. , Quezon City. Even we are exhausted and worried for what happen, my hope still continues to look forward and be optimistic. I hold on to my faith, wishing for good things to happen.

We ordered the KFC SoGood Meal (95.00) it consist of 1 pc. Original chicken, rice, drink and mashed potato. It saves you about twenty pesos! That’s really a good deal isn’t? well I prefer these than having snack box. I think it’s really convenient for students and employees who have a tight budget but looking for a good sumptuous set of meals.

While having our lunch, I received a text message from a friend. And luckily, it’s answered prayer. I can make it through! Whooh I’m really blessed at that moment. So we finished our lunch and went back to the security guard we have met an hour ago.

It wasn’t easy to talk with him again but I must conquer my fear.  I approach him, ask him if he will allow me to go on...then he answered. YES! My happiness can’t be explained. His sympathy really shows how good person he is.
By the way my deepest gratitude belongs to my friend Janjen and ofcourse to Kuya Tanny. I’m really glad and excited for what will happen next.

TOKYO TOKYO

360 minutes have passed after we had our dinner. The intensive type of exam really pushed my brain so much. My head aches as well as my big tummy. We get out of the building as the night falls.  Riding on a cab on a long way of traffic was stressful. But we cant go home yet not unless we can catch a bus ASAP tough it’s too bad for us to travel 2 hours with an empty stomach. So we dropped by in Robinson Galleria.

The store looks unpleasant, it was really taken for granted since the store is quite known. Due to my “kakuriputan”  I ordered one of there best seller which is the Chicken Karage for 75.00php and add 60.00 for drinks  with 4 california maki.

At first the deep fried chicken really tastes well with the special sauce. But as time goes by the sauce became spicy and tangy for whatever reason. I don’t like to deep my chicken again, but the taste was blunt. Anyhow the good thing in Tokyo Tokyo is their unlimited rice. J  I don’t eat much rice, but this time I got two cups…  (gutom lang talaga). The maki taste good, made from Japanese rice, fresh crab sticks, nori and mangoes. Well it’s really one of a kind. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi. Geez I don’t like the wasabi so I always set it aside. J

My day ends with full of challenges and hard work but it's was fully paid off with experiences. I've been through a lot this day but i'm looking forward for what will happen soon. 

Best Cookies in Elbi

I © cookies.  

At times cookies really completes my day other than sweet chocolatesJ. It rids my stressful….gloomy…and boring day. so most of the time I purchase the Quaker oat meal cookies available in all convenience store and cost me 13.00 to 15.00 pesos per pack. But I find it really inconvenient. So challenge my self to search the fresh and delectable cookies available in Elbi.

Bonitos’ Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies

15 pcs. delicious oatmeal cookies packed in a very creative container. the innovative air tight container maintains the crunch and sweetness of the cookies.The assorted cookies have raisins, nuts, and chocolates but i must say the cookies are not so good as Q does.. they must add more sugar or honey with their recipes. the cookies cost 75 pesos per packed available only at Bonitos in Grove, UPLB.

Food Score: 2/5  Packaging: 4/5

Michas' Chocolate Chip and Double Chocolate Cookies

Michas Cookies

for 30.00 pesos per 100 grams you can already indulge yourself with this crunchy and sweet choco cookies. Michas really the home of best pastries in elbi they prepares the oven fresh products. so i guarantee you that it's really taste good!  you must also try their choco crinkles for the same price.

Food Score: 4/5  Packaging: 3/5

Bostons' Chocolate Cookies 

Bostons Cookies

this is the best cookies i found... the cookies really taste as chocolate, It's really delicious and cheap. it will only cost you 5.00 pesos per piece. the cookies are crisp and chewy at the same time, so you will really comeback for more. i'm looking forward for big boston cookies... :)

Food Score: 5/5   Packaging: 2/5

these are the only stores that provide cookies... as of now...in elbi.  I guess soon many coffee shops and bread store will make more of this. so i can try it al over again hihi By the way try to make ice cream cookie sandwich ;) waaaaaaaahh super duper sarap! :)