Starbucks Drive Thru!!!

Finally, Starbucks had its dry run today for its Drive Thru service at the new Starbucks branch in Fort, Taguig. It was such a breeze!!! I got my Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frap in a flash without the hassle of looking for parking and lining up. This is perfect as well for the rainy days or when you are on the road and in a hurry and is in need of a wonderful perk to zip you up for a great mood. It was so convenient. They even made a very handy and sturdy drinks holder or whateveryoucallit. The crew were all smiles and cheerful and very attentive, as always. And the speakers were very audible so conversing was not a hassle at all unlike other drive thrus. I felt so privileged today to experience this first!! Thank you Starbucks for the invitation. Check out Starbucks Philippines FB for announcements on the launch of its Drive Thru Service. It should be soon, like next week. Then get on your car, go drive and try it out...Later then..

Gustavus' Romaine Caesar Makes A Good First Impression!

Gustavus Steak Lounge in Palanca St. has made its name for steaks. But it's their Grilled Romaine Caesar that is worth coming back to. For P260, you get a large serving of Romaine lettuce still attached together at its firm rib, dressed with a strong and flavorful vinaigrette mixture [i suggest you request to have this served separately so you can control the strength of the taste as you pour it], and crispy bacon bits and pesto crouton. Unlike the other Caesar Salads with the Romaine greens all choped and sliced, Gustavus' Romaine Caesar presentation sets the first impression. Later then..

Giving In To Temptations...I have been sinning!

I'm having a very sweet week thus far. My get togethers with friends these past three days have led me to enjoy my just desserts more than the main courses which have been narrowed down to less fattening dishes as part of my self imposed diet for a more serious pursuit to a more flattering me before the year strikes at 2011. My diet dishes included a tuna salad at Dulcinea [Powerplant] last Sunday evening, a small steak serving at Myron's [G/F Greenbelt 5] last night and caesar's salad and shrimp cocktails at Gustavus [Palanca St. Legaspi Village] for today's lunch. My sweet fixes included the following finds: a healthy cup of taho [soy & sugar caramel syrup] and a half box [i've only had two slices so far!] of the best frozen brazo de mercedes in town at Powerplant's basement "market", a pudding ala mode at Myron's and a very rewarding plate of a slice of pound cake bathed in three kinds of dairy, showered with sweet cream, topped with chocolate coated and caramelized banana and vanilla ice cream and a waffle stick [whew!]. Myron's ala mode was served with a spoonful of chocolate syrup that boasted of richness once poured over the sweet pudding topped with chocolate ice cream. It's a sight to behold! Just when you thought dieting means being able to skip main courses, the great chefs come whipping up the sweetest temptations. This reminds me of my infamous experience at the famous Serendipity on one of my memorable trips to New York which made me give up on finishing my order of a giant Sundae. T'was the only and still the only time i ever gave up on dessert. Why oh why do desserts have to be soooo good! Later then...

Classics Rule!

Savory's fried chicken holds its place as one of the best in the country. Long before the great chickens of Jolly the Bee and Mang I, generation's past have savored the juicy and classic chicken of Savory in old Manila. It's great to know that our generation has welcomed the mushrooming of the many Savory restos [Makati Ave, MOA, Cash & Carry & Newport City are among that i can remember; and they also do deliver 02-5568810/my cellphone holds quite a delivery directory..haha] in the metro today. Tonight, my grandparents from NY and my mom and I feasted on one whole Chicken savory that was juicy to the bones [ooops, i guess that line belongs to Tito Max but allow me to use it here for once]. We also had Yang Chow Fried Rice, Miki Bihon Binondo [i assume Savory was born there?] and Fish Fillet with Tofu. A stand out as well was their Seafood [Shrimp] Salad which was mixed with fresh mango cubes that gave it a very refreshing twist. Like my groovy New Yorker grandparents whom i missed as i only get to see them once a year, Savory may be of generations past but they hold their grounds as masters in today's modern world. Later then...

Stepper In, Stepper Out!

If only it could, it would have shouted at me already. The stepper that i borrowed from my older sister has been laying there for weeks already. It has gone through a room renovation and countless storms. If not for the occasional cleansing it gets from my yaya, it might have been covered with a gazillion dusts already.Tick tock tick tock tick tock...knock knock Javidoo! If only staring at it would make me lose pounds i would have six packs by now. I just know that when and if i do try to step on it, there would be no backing out. Baby steps or daddy steps, just step on it damn it! Later then....

Thank God for Santases!

Christmas came in early for me!!! Two generous Santases sent me great gifts this early. I must have been good this year to deserve this. hehe!! It's not everyday or every Christmas that you get an Iphone4 and the coolest 2011 Starbucks Planner. Now i can do my blogging and facetimes while enjoying my Christmas coffee drinks at Starbucks. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Though for sure i will still be collecting Starbucks stickers to get another planner. The run is so much fun! And it may take me quite some time to say hello to this hi tech phone. Friends know how so 18th century i am with regards to gadgets. Please keep it coming dear Lord! Much appreciated. hehe...Later then...

Crimson Cebu Rocks and the Buffet Rolled!

My greatest of friends and i had a blast in Crimson Resort. It's one of Cebu's newest destinations for people like us who DESERVE to get away from our daily grinds in Manila. Kirbs and i took a very convenient flight via Zest Air. The flight attendants were really nice. Funny though that drinking water was not available even for sale inflight. I missed the old domestic airport. Taking that terminal last weekend brought a lot of childhood memories of my trips to Manila from Bacolod. It was all so cozy and simple. Far from the complex airports of today's world. So unpretentious. A smiling Crimson driver welcomed us at the Cebu airport. Excitement was bursting in my every emotion as we took the 15 minute ride to the resort. The hotel driveway was a so so. But as we made our way to the lobby and saw the breathtaking view of the infinity pool, i saw paradise. The sun was up and my greatest of friends were already splashing like kids at the pool. Margaritas and fresh fruit shakes overflowed. Dinner and breakfast buffet was fantastic! Food was everywhere. Grilled seafood, pasta, fresh fruits, etc., etc. Too bad i missed Cebu lechon. Staff stays it's only made part of the buffet on Sundays. I had shrimps in more ways than one--sinigang, grilled, steamed, tempura, etc. etc. Dessert was sinful and endless. The Crimson Burger was juicy and filling as well. The hotel rooms were divine. The bathroom was big and the bath tub was very inviting. A stand out was the stool seat designed by the talented and famous Kenneth Cobonpue. It looked like chocolate blocks that adjusts to your butt as you take a seat. The bed and pillows were super comfortable. But much of Crimson's charm was in the excellent service from the staff who made sure we only had the best experience at the resort. Cheers to the management for the good training. Though training can only get you so much. The staff really had in their hearts the desire and the pride to please the guests. Thank you to the staff for a very warm and attentive reception--Front Desk Scarlett, van drivers, staff and waiters Justin Lindsey, Louie, Marean, John B, Gerald and to the others. I don't know how many stars Crimson is ranked but it sure gets 5 from me. I will be back!! Later then...

Dunkin' Yan Yan!

So what can a few pesos get you these days? Cellphone load? Yosi? Spanish Bread? Or several sticks of chocolate heaven? Believe me, this is one very good and very cheap indulgence from Dunkin' Donuts that brings churros and hot chocolate and Yan sticks and chocolate dips to my mind. Ok, it's far from a churros and hot chocolate experience but it's good enough and so much better than another YAN chocolate stick. Really good enough. This is the next best thing to happen to Dunkin after Bavarian, Fruit Fillings and Munchkins!!! I love Dunkin'! Later then...

Bulalolicious!

On our way home from Tagaytay last weekend, Kirbs and I and our good friend Caloy made a quick stop to give in to our growling hunger at Rose & Grace Restaurant at Sta. Rosa Laguna, located just across Paseo de Sta. Rosa. Waiting for our food to arrive was truly a quite a torture i must say. I could smell the soup's aroma in the air as tables around us all had steaming Bulalo soups already. I would take a glance or two or even more at the other restaurant guests who would be closing their eyes as they take sip after sip of their Bulalo broths and munch on the crunchy cabbage and pechay. Cups of rice would be served here and there. The five minute wait seemed like forever, believe me. I had to ask the waiter to please please please bring our Bulalo already. I deserved my Bulalo right here, right now! Never, ever make a hungry child wait amidst the aroma of Bulalo soup lingering in the air, you know! And finally, we got what we came for-- a big bowlful of Bulalo. We patiently enjoyed first the steaming soup before going for the soft meat that i suppose took hours to boil. I made for myself my "sawsawan" of rufina patis, "katumbal" or sili, suka and calamansi. Kirb's had his without the sili, being not a big fan of anything spicy. Refreshment and dessert came in one--Gulaman & Sago shake, a glassful of jelly with crushed ice and sugar syrup. I was tempted to have a Bulalo take-out, wanting to have another round after we get home from the trip. But i thought the whole waiting experience was part of the deal. Craving makes something so much better. A 45 minute drive to Sta. Rosa would be worth it. I can still smell the aroma right here, right now. Call me crazy. Who wouldn't be a for a delicious bowlful of steaming Bulalo. Later then...

People's Palace, royalty rules!

Friday was hot! After a wonderful & exciting F&H show in SMX [thanks and congratulations Ronald Pineda!!!], my greatest of friends and I made our way to Greenbelt's People's Palace for a much needed food fuel for what we anticipated would be a long night ahead for a pre Halloween Diva showdown and drinks, and more drinks, at M Cafe. The Pomelo Salad [P380] should be a staple as an appetizer when dining at PP. It's absolutely my favorite in the world. Worth a line here as well would be the Prawn Cakes [P370] and Spring Rolls [[P310] which almost made me ask for steamed rice. Thank God i was wearing a size 31 pair of jeans which left no room for any carbo cravings, though i did manage to squeeze in a few bites of the Crisply Fried Egg [P180]  and Chicken basil [[P380] . Dessert came in the form of Fried Bananas with vanilla ice cream [P220] and Chocolate Cake [P250]. The round table set ups at PP also make a great avenue for talk. People's Palace may be old news for metropolitan dining but it is royalty! It never fails to please the palates. Later then..