Wooden Spoon at Power Plant Mall Posted on Saturday, August 2, 2014 | 0 comments

Last Sunday, I met up with my friends Mica and April for dinner at Powerplant Mall.  This was a planned meet-up months ago and was arranged by April's sister Ann, who happened to be in London.

Ann wanted us to meet up with her friend from London who was also bringing our gifts from her.  

From left to right are Mica, Me, April, Andres, Lani, and Kaye.  Ann set this all up.  

I was late so April and Mica has chosen the place already.  My cleavage kind of distracted so many people at the mall as it was a Sunday. 

It took us a while to make an order because we were too engrossed getting to know our new friends.

 You can't go wrong with Fiesta Rice (P145). 

Breaded Fish Fillet with Wansoy Sauce (Php 195)

For me, the best food discovery that night was Crab Pancit (Php 145) and the Adobo Flakes (Php 195). 

The best kaldereta for me can only be found in Davao and they call it "bakareta" because its made with beef.  Surprisingly, this came very close to that.  Their kaldereta costs (Php 235). 

Binagoongan (Php 195)

All in all, the food was amazing. I would always want to come back and try their other dishes because although Sandy Daza claimed that its a Filipino fusion restaurant, it doesn't try so hard.  Sandy just made it better without losing the identity of the cuisine.  

When at Powerplant Mall, try Wooden Spoon or if you are near Katipunan Avenue you may visit them at Loyola Heights, Quezon City. 

For reservations at their Loyola Heights branch, call (+632) 426 0044 . Their Power Plant Branch is always full so I suggest that you go there earlier than the rest of the crowd at probably around 11:00 am for lunch. 

On the other hand, here are the pasalubongs I got from Ann. Thanks Lanie for bringing it! 

Fely J's Greenbelt + The Bayleaf Hotel Intramuros Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 0 comments

It was a bummer to be working on a Black Saturday but Dra. De Leoz - Panigbatan treated us to some sandwiches from Starbucks.  

The good thing about having to go on-duty on a holiday weekend is that there are less patients to care for.  My duty ended early and so I decided to meet up with my friend Joni Mae at Fely J's Greenbelt for lunch. 

Met Joni Mae's family and her Greek fiancé, Nikos.  So happy that they loved the food.  Its my first time here and I suggested that we eat at this restaurant.  Imagine the horror if the food was not great.  But thank God, everything went well.  

Everybody was happy with the sisig and the kamias shake.  

After lunch, we walked around Intramuros for a little bit of culture in this walled city in Manila. 

Below is the interior of the Manila Cathedral.  

Suddenly it all flashed back when this city was a major thoroughfare in the past.  

I got a very nice photo of the silhouette of the tower of the Manila Cathedral.  

My Greek and English friends were thirsty, they wanted to buy a beer while walking but to their dismay they were only offered water. 

San Agustin Church looks majestic from the outside. 

The wood carving on the door was meticulously done.  I could think how spiritual the people were during those times because they have dedicated their lives to such beauty. 

The interior of San Agustin Church was more spectacular with its intricate designs.  

Some more old buildings inside Intramuros.  

I managed to strike a pose on the walls of Intramuros.  You just have to be tolerant because the smell of pee is quite common.  

The Bayleaf Hotel has a very good view of the Intramuros golf course. 

We had to chill at The Bayleaf Hotel's 9 Spoons Restaurant because it was scorching hot outside.

The airconditioning system of the restaurant was so good I did not want to go out to the real world.  

These are our happy faces sipping some margarita, beer, and tequila.  

I am of no match to these afternoon alcoholics. But yes, I did try to catch up but still of no match.

While waiting for the famous Manila Bay Sunset at The Sky Deck View Bar of The Bayleaf Hotel.  

David was starting to feel the alcohol to kick-in and did this drunken pose. 

The wait was worth it. 

I highly recommend this place for some rest and relaxation especially if you have foreign guests because they get to experience the beauty and silhouettes of a city rich in culture and love.

Sentro 1771 in Serendra Posted on Sunday, February 2, 2014 | 0 comments

Whenever friends visit me here in Manila, I always find it challenging to choose the right restaurant that matches their overly fastidious taste in food.  

A good way to narrow down the choices is to ask what kind of dish your visitor wants - Filipino, American, Italian, French, or fusion.  

So imagine my happiness when my visitor wanted something Filipino and we were at Serendra.  I immediately suggested Sentro 1771.  

Tables are quite close to each other so you might have to tone down your intimate conversations. 

I ordered Boneless Crispy Trotter which is a deboned crispy pata.  It is now my personal favorite for only Php 620 ( US$ 15).  

To neutralize all the cholesterol in that crispy pata, we ordered Adobong Kangkong (Php 90 = US $2.25) which is water spinach cooked in garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar.  

We ordered some Corned Beef Sinigang, to complete the meal and it was really good considering that I have always preferred fried than something soupy. 

When looking for something Filipino and you're around Serendra, try Sentro 1771! 

For reservations you can call 

(02) 7190955, +639178147794

Sentro 1771 is located at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.