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

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.

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

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! :)

FASTeatING

For the past few days, I don't have time to eat out  and spend  for a long hours of dining. My work requires me to have 15 minutes break therefore my only resort is to take/dine out. ;)

Bake Mac on Monday

micahs bake mac

Michas is known for there delectable pastries and cakes, but aside from that they also provide there own variety of Baked Macaroni. Way back in my HS days, I always drop by in Micha's to purchase baked Mac. The cheese and milk really taste well with the macaroni. at that time there serving was really big, you can't eat the whole portion of it. since then, hinahanap hanap ko na talaga yung taste nan bake mac nan Michas. You really cant resist it's delicious  taste. sa sobrang sarap nauubusan pa kami ;( 

KFC Pasta Bowl Creamy Tomato and Halo Halo Krushers on Wednesday

My work needs stamina to stand longer for 4-5 hours of work. Well at some times I cant have rice, I don't dare my self to eat heavily, it may cause me stomach pains. so carbohydrates?. Although breads are good sources carbs, it's to light for me energize. so i prefer pasta.

Creammy Tomato

The pasta looks pale, i don't see the creaminess of tomato in my bowl. a bad bad choice ;( and the taste was a little bit salty from the parmesan and the chopped KFC original Chicken. I want to enjoy it as much as i could but the taste is really bad.

Halo halo Krushers

but the good thing is the KFC halo halo Krushers. aside from my favorite strawberry and Mango Krushers, this really goin one to be one of my list. the bits of gulaman and other ingredients really taste great. I want some more ;)

*i cant have pictures of them credits to people who owns this pics ;)

Elbiccino

It was late in the evening and there is no PUJ’s passing by from the campus. So I decided to drop by at BOSTON coffee shop in Grove. The only coffee store available 24/7 in Elbi. I would like to sit down and stay for a while but I need to go home as soon as possible. And since it’s already late I choose to order elbiccino.

Elbiccino truly wakes up my senses the bitter taste of dark roasted coffee, and coffee jelly really bombs my tired body. I like the coffee jelly, its wobbly and not too chewy just right to give some kick. The ice cream topping balances the sweetness of the coffee which gives the whole body of the frappe. I can't help my self to zip and zip maybe because i'm just thirsty after a long day of work ;)

A last sweet treat ends up my day as I go my way home.

I will surely come back to BOSTON to tell you more stories.

BTW I credit this picture to pinkurinal.com tnx!

Food Score: 3/5
located at Lopez Ave. Grove, Batong Malake, Elbi

Family Feast

Until now I can’t believe I’m already 21. I once ask my self in the mirror… do I look like 21? Act like 21? Feel like 21? But I’m not… I look 3x older (kiddin aside). They say turning 21 is the mark of manhood and it must be celebrated. :P

2 weeks ago, my friend Topher Jerz suggests to have it in Pizza Hut Olivarez (elbi) so he can provide me some discounts. And since he insists I agree with his deal. He will get another set of pizza for free (from his pocket actually). How cool is that. So we both decided to have it on the 16^th by 3pm.

meet Topher aka Jerz

yuki and dustin

3:00 pm > 4:00 pm > 5:00pm I thought no will come, many replied they can not make it cause they have important things to do. But I’m glad I’m with Yuki and Dustin who spend two hours of waiting inside the chain. We already talk for bunch of things, taking pictures, blah blah blah and due to our so called “hallucination”; we have thought a girl passing by is one of our friend Gem. Yikes. We stared as her as she walk inside the mall but she vanish. Creepy.

Before the night falls Gem and Xai arrived but still we can not start without our boss. He was so busy that day that he hasn’t expected it much. After 30 mins he arrived, tired and exhausted. Finally, the wait is over. Topher He present to us his MOT or the “Moment Of Truth” the actual procedure of a team player will present his menu. ;) It was a very fun experience seeing a friend entertaining us to order in his menu. But the thing is he really did a very special treatment, (performance level ika nga). We purchase the 1 Family feast (for 749.00 pesos it consist of of 1 Family Supreme pan pizza, 1 plate of Ceasar Salad, 1 plate of fettucini Ala king, 1 Plate of Bolognese with meat balls, 4 cold lemonades) 1 plate of pesto penne(149.00),2 cold ice teas (49.00 pesos each) and 1 hot xtra cheese dip(35.00) for Pizza Huts Stuffed Crust pizza (Courtesy of Jerz). Then you do the math. Haha remember every purchase of food items is inclusive of 10% vat, and service charge.  After taking his order, Jerz stood up and walk like Venus on a runway. (Taray nan lolo mo.)haha

A Caesar salad is a nice way to start. With it’s fresh and organic ingredients; vegetarians, vegan, and even meat lovers will fall in love with this dish. Simple as it looks like but it’s taste was very exceptional. The dressing is just right to cover the greens, it’s not too salty and cheesy (parmesan).

Cesar Salad

Fettuccine ala King

Fettuccine Ala king a combination of chicken, ham, and mid garlic flavor. Light white sauce wrap up the taste of fettuccine. The bell peppers also enhance it white sauce.

To balance the light taste of fettuccine, a plate of pasta Bolognese was also serve. It’s like mountain of red pasta top with three Italian meatballs. An explosion of red dressing over a big ball of spaghetti makes me to get some more.

Pasta Bolognese

Aside form the two pasta, we also ordered a pesto penne (as requested by our boss).  Chicken strips sautéed on a white cream sauce and tossed with the penne. Jerz really made a good suggestion, I like this more compare with the first white pasta.

Pasta Chicken Penne

And now for the heaviest part of the evening, eating the two family sized pizza.

but wait drink first to taste them all well! 

The family supreme pizza is serve with six enchanting toppings; beef, pepperoni, bell pepper, mushrooms and onion rings. Well it’s the classic pizza serve at pizza hut. The equal amount of toppings makes the pizza look perfectly and not overloaded. Jers lifted up one slice as part of their SOP, the cheese will individually melt down as he pull it up but unfortunately it doesn’t happen hihi. Crust is well done like soft bread which I like the most. I don’t like pizza crust as hard as stone and charged in the oven for a long time. It’s kinda heavy, at some point I cant eat more pizza.

family supreme pizza

The rewarding part….

Jerz treat us with pizza huts cheesy pops a 24 pops with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. It’s like a crown of chunks in a pan pizza of bacon cheese burger supreme. The pops are soft and chewy; the cheese combines well inside a roll of bread. Dipping it with the extra deep cheese is a blast. Yum as a crazy cheese lover, I want more cheesy pops waah I wonder how it will looks like in a 1 pizza there is a hundred cheesy pops(lol) I just love it again and again.

cheesy pops

The bacon cheese burger pizza supreme is the same as burger on a fast food chain. yes! it does… haha the flavor is the same, the chop bacon and meat over the melted cheese was awesome.

We filled the evening with lots of fun stories, heavy meals and unending laugh trips. We even wear party hats that weren’t fit. Taking wacky shots with xai was fun! Take a look in her blogsite http://lifebeginsattwenty.blogspot.com/.

thank you guys...oops and credits to Dustin

9:00pm we packed our things up, paid the bills and out. I’m so much full, my tummy is a like bomb ready to explode in 2 minutes. I really have a good time with my true long lovelable 5 friends. Xai, yuki, dustin, jerz and gem.  I hope and  Zai and mae anne are with us, but it’s not to late I have more years to enjoy life with them.!! J

Food score: 4/5    Place: 5/5   Service:4/5

Located in upper grounds of Olivarez Plaza, Los Banos, Laguna

Nings Thai

                 Sometimes toss coin is not good reliable source to ask for answers. We just gamble ourselves to very not so good experience. Yuki, Dj and I are too foolish to follow the stupid toss coin advices.

                Right after the photo shoot, we find our self having no sense of direction (lols). Gosh, we cant decide properly where to go next. So we choose to use a coin to ask for its opinion. (stupid idea right). Anyway, the coin suggested us to Dairymoore where we stayed and eat a platter of nachos [90.00php per platter].

                The nachos taste hmm .. okay okay lng it’s not that the normal nachos we enjoy in dairymoore.  L . so after a little chat and taking some photos we transfer to Nings thai.

                Nings thai is located right after dairymoore. It’s a home based business that specialized in original thai cuisine. As we enter the room we can smell already the aroma of what she is cooking. Well the kitchen is almost 5 ft behind us so we barely see how the food was handled.  We choose to sit in long table where can place our belongings and be comfortable. We placed our orders while watching t.v., though it wasn’t my first time to eat in a special type of restaurant, I was able to understand the taste and flavor by studying it in school.

Pad siu photo by Dustin

                Dustin ordered a plate of Pad siu [65.00php/plate]. Pad siu is a combined stir fried thai noodles with meat,vegatables,and peanuts. Meanwhile, Yuki and I choose to order a plate of Pad Thai [85.00php/plate]. To prepare a pad thai, the rice noodles was soaked in water until the color turned to white. After 20 mins the noodles is stir fried with egg, garlic, chicken meat, bean sprouts, cilantro and top with peanuts.  Wow atleast I still know how to cook Pad Thai after 1 yr.

Pad Thai photo by Dustin

                Dustin was the first one to be served.  His plate seems so tempting by its appearance. After 5mins our plate was also served. Yuki discovered her plate has an odor that she can’t really withstand. The odor really stink, mine was quite. I guess it was the egg that causes the pad thai to smell like that. Compare on what we cook at school pad thai should smell and at taste sour like a bit of calmansi, kafir leaf or other stuff.  So yuki was super disappointed, and she regrets that she orders a food that she can’t eat.  Dustin shared his plate with yuki, and I only consume only half of my Pad thai. This is really a very unusual experience for us.

                I hope our impression was wrong and when we come back we will only limit ourself in our comfort zones.

Food score 2/5    Place 2/5    service 2/5

Food trip turned into Laugh Trip

               Yen invited us to have a food walk in elbi. I was surprised “anlayo kaya nan elbi sa sta. rosa J”  but on my part it was a cool idea.

                Yen, Jelyn, Armie and I started our adventure by enticing our sweet tooth in Michas’s ; one of the famous pastry house in elbi.  Mouth watering pastries are displayed in front of naked eyes. We really want to buy almost everything but we have to try something else.  All we see is a must try but we only order Silvanas [10.00php / pc], Carrot Cup Cake [15.00php/pc], Choco Cream Puff [15.00php/pc], and Cheese Cake.  A sweet treat reminds us of our baking class with ma’am Ycon. Endless stories filled our way to our next destination.

                Raymundo gate was famous for its street foods; from kwek-kwek down to the famous Isaw. Name it they have it. When we approach the “ihaw-ihaw store” we got to see different groups of individuals collides to buy their own ihaw.  The store is also famous for its proven (fried chicken skin) but unfortunately, the tindera told us “ubos na ang proven”. We don’t have a choice but to look for something else. Luckily, we saw a small store just across the street. Selling turon [8.00php/pc], cheese stick [12.00 php/order], banana con heilo [10.00php/order]. We got each one of which and eat it while seating on a stool. Crazy talk and unending laughter make our experience more exciting.

 Jelyn, Armie, Me, and Jers photo courtesy of Yen

                As we walk our foot led us to Tresto; a small restaurant and bar in FO Street. As we step inside, picnic tables, benches, lavish green grass and great landscape explains the outdoor theme of the resto. As the nights falls, yellow lights are on that adds a romantic feeling in the area. We took on a sit were we can enjoy the whole atmosphere. Aside from the attractive ambience food is also there main assets. It offers Lechon Kawali [83.00php/plate],Beef teriyaki [73.00php/plate],Chicken salpicao [63.00php/plate]and breaded Porkchop [63.00php/plate] and other meals for very affordable prices. Add 7 pesos and you will have a cold and refreshing ice tea. As we enjoy our food jerz came in and join us. He ordered beef teriyaki, while getting done with his dinner we order fries. We got a lot of baong chika kaya we cherish all the moments! J

Jers, Yen, Jelyn, and Armie photo courtesy of YenJ

                After filling our stomach we went to baker field and enjoy the rest of the evening with more stories. It was an evening of nice food and great bonding! J

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