A Celebration at Sambo Kojin Yakiniku Smokeless Grill Quezon City

December 8, 2012

Sambokojin Yakiniku Smokeless Grill
West Ave., Quezon City
3728846   9212873

Mon-Fri (11am-2pm) - PhP 519
Mon-Fri (6pm-10pm except Friday 5:30pm) - PhP 619
Sat-Sun (lunch & dinner) PhP 5:30pm-10pm - PhP 659

Children 4 ft and below - PhP 319

Toddler - free of charge

Add PhP 200 Leftover charge

Last Saturday, DH and I spent half day at the office and the other half in Sambo Kojin Yakiniku Smokeless Grill. It was the baptismal party of Ysabella Kim, the youngest daughter of my very good friend, Gevi.

Sambo Kojin The Japanese Kitchen God Three-headed deity with two pairs of hands. Bearer of fire, protector of the hearth, watcher of the household, keeper of the brotherhood. 

 Sambo Kojin napkin ; p

We arrived at half past twelve. I think we were among the last ones to arrive hahaha Talk about grand entrance ; p The family members and other guests were already seated while some were already making their second or third trip to the buffet table ; p Anyways, my other good friend, Cats, was able to reserve seats for DH and I. We were seated together with the proud parents of Kim ; ) Now, that's what I call... friendship!

Yakiniku means grilled meat

To check out the buffet spread in Sambo Kojin, proceed after the break....

Spending Happy Time With BPI

Since we met way back in college, Cats, Gevi and I became very good friends. We are so close that we treat each other like sisters… ok, more like we’re triplets hahaha We used to dress alike when we were still in school. By the way, we still do that from time to time ; p

  (left to right) Gevi, me and Cats

After college, we still kept in touch and spent some precious time together. Every now and then, we travel together. Cats and I have traveled to Taiwan and Singapore while Gevi and I recently bonded in Boracay.

Want to know more about how we spend our happy times together? Read after the break…

Updated! Greeka Kouzina in San Juan

October 26, 2012

Greeka Kouzina
285 Units 4 & 5 P. Guevarra St.,
San Juan 1500

Gevi, Cats and I were not able to meet up again until last October. We finally settled for the new restaurant called Greeka Kouzina along P. Guevarra in San Juan. I often passed by and almost always, the restaurant looks full from outside. Parking lot is not a problem as the restaurant's security guard will point you to a secured (gated) vacant lot just right around the corner.

Cats told ordered me to make a reservation, I did but the restaurant won't accept any reservations on weekends. When we arrived at around 6:30 pm, I understand why. The restaurant was already filled with diners. More people were waiting outside, mostly with families in tow. Luckily, the very courteous waiter was able to "squeeze" in a table for two on the second floor.

Greek Caesar Salad PhP 310 with Fried Calamari PhP 170

We were overwhelmed with the huge servings. Had I known that everything here is humongous, I would have advised my friends not to order too much. You can just imagine what our cramped table for two looked like. Well, since our table was only squeezed in beside the table of a father and son tandem, most of our orders were trespassing on their table ; p Talk about going overboard. 

The salad alone can be shared by a group of five girls. It's a guiltless Caesar Salad because the dressing is made from 100% greek yogurt and is absolutely fat-free. You can also enjoy this salad with Baked Chicken for only PhP 140.

There are other salad on the menu. I spy a Watermelon and Lamb salad which I would love to try when I go back. Hopefully, with DH in tow!

OOTN: Chica Girl in Ensembles

Hello ; p As I am typing this, it's 1 a.m.! DH and I just got back from an awesome wedding of the younger brother of my friend. I want to share a quick post of my knockout outfit tonight hehehe

do I look chica enough for you?

What is chica?

It means "girl" in Spanish. It sometimes connotes a hot chick. The second meaning is what I am aiming for ; p

Can you believe that I pulled this look in less than an hour? I went to Hotel Sofitel in my office attire- white shirt and jeans, then changed into these vavavoom outfit in one of the restrooms of the hotel.

Blouse: Off White Woven Shirt by Ensembles PhP1195
Skirt: Ensembles in Black PhP795
Shoes: Aerosoles PhP3650
Nails: Orly in Sand Castle done in Freyja Day & Nail Spa

I bought the blouse first and then had to return it for exchange of the same item the next day. That was the time I saw the cute skirt that is so me... I just have to buy it ; p

Ensembles well-suited is available in Trinoma 9166183

Reunion at Lugang Cafe in Greenhills!

My visit: August 19, 2011

Lugang Cafe

116 Connecticut St.,

Greenhills, San Juan

7219100   5709011

When my "CareBear" friend, Marilene, invited DH and I over to her son's 1st birthday party a few weeks ago, I saw a lot of familiar faces but didn't quite get the chance to talk to all of them. We agreed to set a date and place for our mini reunion. It took place in Lugang Cafe, Greenhills 2 nights ago. 

my elementary classmates

I am still a bit sleepy as I am typing this entry because I went home at around 12:30am and slept at around 2 am. Talk about getting high from being so happy to see my old friends. Plus, I drank a large cup of WinterMelon Milk Tea  ; p

Original Chori Burger in Boracay since 1988

I have not tasted Boracay's Chori Burger until my recent visit. After having our massage at Nigi-Nigi's Massage Center, we went for a walk and found Merly's BBQ stand along Station 1.

Merly's BBQ Boracay The Best Longga & Chori Burger Since 1988

Ok, it's not Merly in the photo but my friend Gevi hehe Would you believe this is our cheapest dinner to date? We only paid PhP25 each haha

El Centro Fruit Shakes in Boracay

This is our second fruit shake in a day. The first one was in Jonah's Fruit Shake which costs twice as much as El Centro's fruit shake. 

 El Centro's Avocado fruit shake PhP50

El Centro is found right smack in the middle of Station 2. I terribly needed this fruit shake. After walking the whole stretch of all 3 stations, I am so out of energy to even lift a finger!

Celebrating Birthday Pinoy Henyo Style 2011

The celebration lasted for a month! I am finally down to my last post about my birthday party. For a change, this year Cherie and I celebrated our birthdays in her new home. Yey!

posing with our birthday cake

All the while we thought most of our friends couldn't make it. Some texted in that they already have a schedule for the night and some even complained how far the venue was. You know who you are ; p But the most important thing is that everybody turned up that night! 

Birthday celebration at Classic Confections!

My visit: May 2, 2011

Classic Confections

2/F Greenbelt 5

Legaspi St., Legaspi Village

Makati

7299243

Franco and Cookie from Bridges, a PR company, treated me and Rowena for lunch on my birthday. Cyma was a unanimous choice for lunch. The Roka Salata is so good that we ended up ordering 2 haha After our hearty lunch, we went to Classic Confections because according to Franco I have to have a  birthday cake. A birthday will not be complete if I don't blow a candle. How sweet!

cheesecake PhP225

Yummy cheesecake as my birthday cake weeee! I should really lose some weight now haha

LIKE and win in Pond's Flawless White The Unbeaten Whitening Experience!

This is really nerve-wracking! I mean, each post that you see on Pond's microsite corresponds to a deadline. When I signed up for this, I didn't know that meeting deadlines can be this stressful or how hard it is to beg friends, relatives, readers to LIKE my team's entry.

If you are still out of the loop, you may want to check out Pond's Flawless White The Unbeaten Whitening Experience challenge where a blogger, that's me, and a friend team up to come up with a series of posts, 7 posts in all, leading to a flawless white skin in just three weeks! The blogger would document the changes the friend will experience using Pond's Flawless White range. 

my FOTD: barely there make up (no retouch)

Naturally, I have to try these new products! When Cats, my teammate, raved and talked about her favorite among the range, Flawless White Spots Blocking Serum, I was enticed to try and see the effect on my face.

Singapore Chronicle: Wong Kok Restaurant

My visit: November 14, 2010

Singapore Day 1

PAL flight PR503 7am

round trip airfare $189.20

My friend, AC and I have agreed to be picked up by their car around 4am. But I overslept, yes, I overslept and my freaking alarm didn't work. And don't ask me why, ok? When I got her text that she, and her family were on their way, I panicked. She lives just a block away from my home. I replied by texting her I'll be down in 5 minutes. That's how fast I washed my face, brushed my teeth and changed clothes. Yes, shower is not on the list! *shmelly*

 Jo, AC and I on board flight PR503

We arrived in Singapore after 3 hours. AC's relatives picked us up from the airport. We left our bag at the hotel lobby because of the 2pm check in time.

The Old Vine by Chef's Quarter

My visit: August 6, 2010

The Old Vine by Chef's Quarter

Level 1 Eastwood Mall

Libis, Quezon City

7065573

It has actually been four months already that my barkada and I were out of touch. Thanks to yogi, we were all able to meet up last Friday in Eastwood City.

As usual, all but CML and I were late. CML has no excuse to be late because she lives in the area lol And I, well, let's just say I am always prompt lol

And since we were there earlier than the meeting time, we get to choose where to eat. I quickly thought of rstaurants that I haven't blog about lol Talk about self centeredness. Alright, the idea is to be blog centered so I can write a post and you can read about where or what I have been up to haha So, you see the motive is righteous lol

The Old Vine is managed and run by the same people who left DUO, a restaurant in Fort. We were given  room with a PhP7, 000 consumable rate. The manager waived the fee and we were free to use the room. Thanks!

Tessie Tomas salad large PhP595

Finally, a candle to blow and a cake to eat from Hizon's and Estrel's!

My, oh, my! The party has just started! It seems like I will be celebrating the whole month of May lol I tell you, with good family and friends around, who is counting! I say enjoy and live a happy life!

celebrators that night

Pancake House with friends

 my university buddies

New Find: Pink Pepper Restaurant & Lounge Bar

My visit: April 16, 2010

Pink Pepper
2F Il Terrazo
Tomas Morato,
Quezon City
4973721

It has been awhile since AC, GE and I have seen each other. Sure, AC and I are often each other's house guest and GE and I see to it that we have lunch over the holidays to catch up. It's about time that the three of us have the opportunity to get together just like the old times!

We quickly found a table upon entering as only a few tables were occupied.

Summer Time: Bakasyunan sa Baybay Dagat

My visit: April 9- 10, 2010

Bakasyunan sa Baybay Dagat

Sitio Lawak, Brgy. Amungan,

Iba, Zambales

4408802   7064509

My friends and I have an annual beach party. Last year was the stinky Adam's Beach Resort. The kids were traumatized and don't want to go if they hear the place Batangas. But not all beaches in Batangas are the same. Canyon Cove is very nice because it has huge swimming pool and a clean beach at the same time. And the sunset is great!

We went north this year and Zambales was our final destination. Even with paved new road in NLEX and NCTEX, our group of 5 cars drove for 5 hours.

The resort was well maintained. Upon check- in, I noticed that most personnel were cleaning the area- picking trash and our transporting the luggage of their guests in and out of their room. Everybody was helpful. 

the house we rented has 2 floors and four rooms

We rented the whole house, the 2 rooms on the ground floor are PhP3, 600 each. Each room sleeps 4 pax. While the 2 rooms on the second floor are priced at PhP4, 200 each which has a loft, this room can accommodate 6 pax. 

Remember When... Chili's Grill Bar & Restaurant

My visit: February 28, 2010

Chili's Grill Bar & Restaurant

Northeast Greenhills, San Juan

7271143

College days are here again! Nah! Just remembering and visitng the good old days with super friends of course!

2010 barkada

New Find: Cookbook Kitchen

My visit: January 16, 2010

Cookbook Kitchen
8 Socorro Fernandez St.,
cor. Luna Mencias St.,
Mandaluyong City, MM
7243595   3815935

This man is really gracious. He was the one who was manning the door and greeted us upon entering. He lead us to the side door entrance, apparently the restaurant was so full last night that a table was set up near the main entrance. He was also right there in the front door as we were leaving his restaurant. I was taking picture of his restaurant's signage when his wife quips, "You can take your picture with him if you enjoyed your dinner" And enjoy I did, so here's my picture with him with my beaming smile.

photo op with Chef Gen Capati

I thank Lola for the generous dinner and the wonderful company of friends we dined with that night! Btw, this was already take four- taken by a waitress, the first three pictures were taken by the waiter who does not have a steady hand. I wonder how he became a waiter though lol

Abe where good friends dine

My visit: January 9, 2010

Abe

G/F Serendra, Retailer Area,

Bonifacio Global CIty, Taguig City

8560526 8567696

OK, DH and I did not eat everything on the picture. Orders were shared among his 10 friends from his university. Last Saturday was a mini reunion of sort. Two of his college friends who were working overseas were back here on vacation.

l-r watermelon ginger shake, iced tea

Since DH has cough, watermelon ginger shake was his order. I was curious as to how it tasted. Well, it tasted with only a slight hint of ginger so it was ok with me. DH did not like it at all.

Fun time with Ady and Megan

My good friend, Ady, arrived last week from the US of A. She brought along her cute lil kid, Megan, to attend her brother's wedding.

We had an opportunity to spend a day at the mall. She picked Greenhills- a shopping haven for tourist, as our destination.

It was only after much haggling and bargaining did we realized that we have not had a single photo.

Megan riding the twist car

And so, with each of us having our own camera, Megan became our model. She willingly obliged to pose for or cameras.

Ady and I

Before getting out of the car, Ady and I had this souvenir shot. "CRAZY" that's how Ady described our friendship, este, this shot because it's taken inside the car which is unglamorous lol

more candid shots with Ady's cam here