Pre Valentine Date at Relish

Baked Salmon. The Best. 

Relish At Ponte : Yuppies' fave

Since I am back to being a Makati girl [from my corporate person perspective :p], I am more curious to explore and re-visit old and new interesting restaurants around Makati. Good thing, I have decided to purchase vouchers to try the food that one of Makati restaurants can offer. I am talking about Relish at Ponte. 

..And I did not regret it! Aside from the nice interiors and friendly staff, the dishes we tried was goooooood! It is priced at Php 495

I just knew it - Just from the menu, I knew that their Baked Salmon is deliciously being created in the kitchen!  Haha. I got what I imagined from the menu and more!  How it was cooked was just right and the cheese flavor [with some herbs I think] is just lovely for my taste buds. It comes along with an originally created tartar dip too :D  

Jz tried their Relish Bistro Steak with Herbed Rice priced at Php 595. The taste is at par to the higher-priced steaks we have tried.

For dessert, we tried their Chocolate Cheesecake with Cookie Dough. It is a frozen dessert but as soon as you are halfway to finishing the treat, it tastes better and better!  It is priced at Php 180

Food Thoughts:

- I was hoping to taste the Baked Salmon with their Garlic Mashed Potato but it was not available. You can order some of the house specials along with a free siding options : the mashed potato, side salad, and herbed rice as choices.
- Relish at Ponte, as the name suggests, is located at Ponte Salcedo Bldg, Valero St., Makati City [beside Shakeys Valero and Seattle's Best. From McDonald's Valero and RCBC it is at your left]

GQ Cakes

Vintage Cake sweetly created by Mary Grace Querubin for our birthday girl Ave. Want to know more about GQ cakes? Visit its facebook page : GQ cakes :D

Vintage Cake with White Chocolate and Yema Flavor from GQ cakes

Dazzling Davao

It is my first time to go to Mindanao and we chose to go to one of the Most Progressive cities in the Philippines - Davao City! The Waterfront Insular Hotel became our home for the weekend.

Morning view from our room

Waterfront Lobby at Night with Christmas Decors

Waterfront Deluxe Room

 We immediately noticed the clean streets even the clean markets around the city. And when we say progressive, Davao really is! Aside from having an Ayala Mall - Abreeza and a huge SM Mall - SM Lanang which has an IMAX and is said to be the second largest SM mall next to Mall of Asia,  there are a lot of establishments and hang-out places around the city.

 Since we just wanted a quick chill getaway, we only opted for a city tour. As first stop, we went to Eden Park where we strolled around the hectares of nature lover's haven. We also visited their fishing village and got the chance to tick off our 2012 list of catching a fish and have it cooked.

Have your fish and eat it too :D

Eden Park Entrance

Eden Park - Nature Lover's Haven

  We also had lunch at Jack's Ridge which offers a breathtaking view of Davao City. Food is a bit pricey considering it is already a must for any tourist to drop by the place. But, the food we tried is delicious and worth the price.

Add caption

View from Jack's Ridge - Karlo's Gourmet and Coffee

  We had the chance to visit the Japanese tunnel which is very significant for Jz because it was in Davao where his grandfather was harmed by the Japanese during the Japanese war. Entering the tunnel gives you that goosebump-y feeling but knowing the stories while seeing the preserved part of the tunnel is a cool experience. The tunnel was unexpectedly discovered during the1960s when the National Highway of Davao was being built.

Davao's Japanse Tunnel

Travel Thoughts:

- The city governance is strict on implementation. Thus, you will inevitably notice the high police visibility in the area. As a tourist, one must be aware that  "No Smoking" zones in public places/jeepneys are strictly implemented. There are only designated smoking areas.

- Another tourist must-know: Alcoholic beverages are only served until 1am and bars/clubs operate only until 2am. This is strictly implemented as well.

-  Interesting Trivia: Mt Apo is very visible in the city especially if one is headed to Eden Park. However, the highest peak in the country is not really located in Davao exactly but in Cotabato. Most climbers are from Davao though. And the most scenic view is seen in Davao. Our tourist guide also shared that most  mountaineers flock Mt Apo during Holy Week.

- If you happen to stay in Waterfront Hotel, their Caesar Salad is the bomb! You can order for additional or less parmesan and other toppings when you order and their veggies are soo crunchy.

- The best Durians are the ones being sold accros Chinatown entrance. Another interesting fact is that the Chinatown in Davao is one of the largest in a foreign Asian country.

Davao's Chinatown at Night

Fave Jap : Omakase!

Omakase Favorites

And my best friend was right.. Omakase will be favorite! Yeah, I know it already existed for quite some time now - it was even one of the caterers in one of the weddings we attended this year. But, can I just repeat [it again, one more time - haha ok ok redundant :P] that Omakase is our official favorite food trippin' place! Ever since they moved their Alabang branch to Molito, the ambience is better and we feel we had better access to this Japanese place. 

Food thoughts: 

Seafood Crepe

What is my personal favorite? Ofcourse the Seafood Crepe! I just fell in love :P I remember ordering my good old favorite Kani Salad. But, they do not have them in the menu. I just can take the lady server a thousand times for recommending this food love to me :D 

Other must trys: Spicy Squid, Tempura, California Maki

Omakase is located in Molito Center, Barangay Ayala Alabang [just at the back of Starbucks,HSBC area]
Another favorite Omakase branch is at Ayala Triangle, Makati [at the back of  Makati Stock Exchange Building].

Birthday Blog - 2012 ;)

"Princess C" Cupcakes by Mary Grace Querubin

I wanted to blog about the food trip and treats I had for my birthday so here it is..:)

* I had my birthday salubong treat from Jz at Lorenzo's,BGC way since we have been craving for Fil-Spanish dishes days before. I chose the delsih Coco Loco Prawns!

Coco Loco Prawns - 550php

Jz added an order of Crispy Pata - which we almost did not touch as we are sooo full! In addition, we added Spanish Garlic Chicken which I find so-so but ok for the price.

Crispy Pata

Spanish Garlic Chicken - 325php

* I also had my  'first' birthday cake slice this year from the Cake Club haha. The cakes are overwhelming! But, I have to hold my appetite so I decided to try Le Royale.

Le Royale - cake slices range from 200 to 400 php 

*    Had a celebration with relatives too and with balikbayan relatives, they chose Max's for our dine out. I have never underestimated Maxs bakery. So, I was not surprised when I liked the cupcakes we had which was supposed to be for Father's day haha!

* Experienced "kilig" too when I received a surprise delivery from Island Rose given by Jz :*

*Kilig*

*  Had a friendship killig too! Haha! Received a surprise (what we now call as) "Princess C"  cupcakes from a dear friend - Meegay Querubin. You can send a message/comment if interested. Her cakes are beautiful and yummy! :)

Cuuute ;)

Food thoughts:

- Lorenzo's Way open from 11am to 11pm
- The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel is located at 7th Ave cor 29th Street South BHS Central, Fort. Their Cake Ice Cream is the next to try.. heard it's good! :)

Friday Night @ Murray and D'Vine

Murray and D'Vine, Serendra

Every Friday night, our Fridate is somewhere unplanned except for those days that we are craving for something in  particular. The Friday when we chose to dine at Murray and D'vine was a random one.We wanted to try a resto/bar which is not part of our favorite list.

I ordered Meatball Spaghetti and Jz  ordered Beef n' Bacon burger. We also added some Nachos with Cheese and Beef.

Nachos with Cheese and Beef - 215php

Beef n' Bacon - 395 php

Meatball Spaghetti around 250php

The Wine Wall

Food Thoughts:

- Nachos with Cheese n' Beef was full of flavor. Not the best nachos for me though, but it was good.
- Meatball Spaghetti seemed Sauce with pasta for me.. The sauce was too thick for my tastebuds and there's too little serving of the noodles compared to the sauce :P
- I got to taste the Beef n' bacon and it was delish. Not a healthy option though hehe!
- Crowd was made up of expatriates and yuppies
- Was fascinated by their cute mustard and catsup bottle haha!

cute bottles hehe!

Pacquiao Fight at the Vue Bar

Pre-Father's Day Celebration : Pacquiao Tix!

As I "arrange" arrange my photos for the "happenings" of June, I came across few photos we had during the Pacquiao-Bradley fight which was Jz and I's Pre Fathers Day treat for dad. As usual, we watched another Pacquiao fight at the Vue Bar of Bellevue Hotel. This is one "happening" we will miss should the People's champ decide to retire.. I guess all other Pinoys have their own "usual" way of celebrating each fight of Pacman...And our way is at the Vue Bar. We fell in love with the ambiance, the buffet with our favorite pudding and crispy chicken (brunch buffet at 990 php only!), and the cheering Pinoys who are also used to watch the fight in the same way as ours (priceless!:P) :)

Omelet Corner

Buffet Starts Now! :P

Just warming up hehe

Choices of Bread

Fruits and a Slice of Pudding

Urban Thoughts:

- Usual buffet at 990php only and reservations required.
- Vue Bar at the Bellevue Hotel Manila:
22nd Floor Tower Wing, Bellevue Hotel Manila,
North Bridgeway, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang,
Muntinlupa