Valentine's Day Celebration at Luxent Hotel Garden Cafe

February 8, 2013

Luxent Hotel
Garden Cafe
51 Timog Ave.,
South Triangle, Quezon City 1103
9228888

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

My friends and I were able to buy Luxent Hotel's Eat-All-You-Can Buffet and Drinks for only PhP 599 instead of PhP 999 from MetroDeal. The voucher is not valid on February 14 to 16 (Valentine's Weekend) so use it last Friday instead. Based on my previous experience, traffic would be terrible if we celebrate it on the day itself anyway.

 here piggy, piggy!

There's only four stations - Lechon, Japanese, BBQ Grill and Dessert. Well, five, if you count the ice cream fridge located at the farthest side of the room near the entrance. 

Read more after the break...

Birthday Celebration at Tajimaya Charcoal Grill in SM Mall of Asia (MOA)

October 19, 2012

Tajimaya Charcoal Grill

2137 - 2139 EM 2nd Floor

SM Mall of Asia
Pasay City

556-8929

Two years ago, I posted about Tajimaya Charcoal Grill here. In my previous entry, the waitress kept on insisting that we order their house specialty - Wagyu Beef. So, when we went back to celebrate DH's birthday last October 19, finally, we were able to try Wagyu Karubi. We ordered the cheapest among the Wagyu selection. When the order came out, I noticed that there were only less than 10 thinly sliced beef. For the price we paid, it better be good.

 Wagyu Karubi (Boneless Short Ribs) PhP 780

Well, not really! Although the beef looks marbled, it was not exactly "melt-in-your-mouth" that Wagyu is known for. It was a bit chewy. Ho hum...

Read after the break for the rest of our orders...

Buffet 101 in Robinsons Magnolia

August 18, 2012

Buffet 101
Level 2 Robinsons Magnolia
Aurora Blvd. cor Dona Hemady Ave.,
Kaunlaran, Quezon City
6977379   8610477

Monday to Friday

Lunch PhP 699

Dinner PhP 950

Saturday / Sunday / Holidays 

Lunch PhP 799

Dinner PhP 1050

I was not kidding when I told you that I was in Robinsons Magnolia every other day in my previous entry ; p I was in Magnolia Flavor House on Tuesday night, Adobo Connection on Thursday afternoon and for my Saturday date night, DH and I dined in Buffet 101 before watching last full show of The Expendables at 10 pm ; )

Stir fried garlic crab

We went back to Buffet 101 the week after to celebrate my nephew's birthday ; ) Even though the restaurant is still in its soft opening phase, the service on both occasion is commendable.

Warning! You might get hungry after reading this post ; p

Mom's Birthday at Saika Japanese Cuisine in Makati

June 3, 2012

Saika Japanese Cuisine

2282 Chino Roces Ave.,

Pio del Pilar, Makati City

While searching for a new Japanese restaurant around Little Tokyo, I spotted Saika just opposite of Seryna. The restaurant is huge with ample parking space in front and on the side of the building. By the time we got there, it was lunch time already but the restaurant was not yet full. We got a table by the window near the entrance. While ordering, I was taking photos of the menu but I was told by the waitress that I could not take photos. Darn! 

with my parents

I can't understand why some restaurants won't allow diners to take photos. Is there a restaurant owner reading my blog? If so, please enlighten me why you do not allow it. 

Dad's 61st Birthday Celebration at Kimpura Greenhills

My visit: February 23, 2012

Kimpura Japanese Restaurant
Greenhills Shopping Center
San Juan, M.M.
7218816   7218869   7210581

My dad celebrated his 61st birthday in Kimpura, his favorite Japanese restaurant. I figured we don't need a reservation because it was a weekday but when we arrived, several tables were already occupied and the teppan-yaki table was already full.

Kimpura staff singing a birthday song

DH and I arrived earlier than the rest of my family. I gave the birthday cake to the receptionist for safe keeping ; p

In the middle of our dinner, the waiters and waitresses sang "Happy Birthday" song to my dad ; ) The restaurant gave a free ice cream dessert- the one with a lighted candle in the background.

Kuretake Restaurant in Power Plant Mall

My visit: February 12, 2012

Kuretake Restaurant

 R1- Level Power Plant Mall 

Lopez Drive, Rockwell Center, 

JP Rizal, Makati City

8980509   8980718

DH and I attended the special screening of The Vow starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. You can call it our pre-Valentine's movie date. Of course, a date would not be complete without having dinner at a restaurant. 

We were initially looking for another restaurant but sadly, it closed down already. We chanced upon Kuretake Restaurant and I warned DH that it's a pretty expensive Japanese restaurant. 

gyudon ala carte PhP 420

We reluctantly entered the restaurant, keeping in mind to order only our favorite sushi and sashimi. 

I can't live without rice so I ordered gyudon. DH & I shared a bowl of thinly sliced beef over glass noodles and warm rice. The slices of onion make this order sweet. This order has only a few strips of beef and almost half of the strip is fat---> look at the photo above ; p The miso that comes free with this order is good though. 

New find: Ryuma Ramen Restaurant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna

My visit: November 5, 2011

Ryuma Restaurant

2/F Unit 126 Paseo de Sta. Rosa

Commercial Center 4

Greenfield, Don Jose, Sta. Rosa City

Laguna

049- 5028401   049-5020226   09102346932

Now that our favorite Japanese restaurant in Sta. Rosa is gone, DH and I are always on the look out for something new. When we went to Canyon Cove last log weekend, we stopped by Sta. Rosa, Laguna for lunch. A lady guard pointed us to a new Japanese restaurant called Ryuma. 

Ryuma Restaurant is one part of a complex that housed different businesses like a grocery store, a clothing store and another Japanese restaurants named Ryuma Ramen. You can seat in one restaurant and order from the menu of the other restaurant. 

Zaru Soba PhP240

Ryuma Restaurant has a smoking and non-smoking area. We were seated in the non-smoking section where there are LCD TVs mounted on two walls. Two waitresses were assigned in our area but I think the management needs to assign more especially when its full house.

Travelogue: Anvaya Cove Beach & Nature Club Accommodation

My visit: September 17- 18, 2011

Anvaya Cove Beach & Nature Club

Brgy. Mabayo, Morong,

Bataan, Philippines

7939000   

Over a week ago, I was with my friends vacationing in Anvaya Cove- a Members Only resort in Morong, Bataan. I am not one to pass the chance to go this exclusive vacation spot so I went with my friends even without DH ; p

golf cart- transportation

It was pretty gloomy the afternoon we arrive. The rain was nonstop. How terrible, right?! I was glad that the sun showed up the next day.

Golf Cart was our means of transportation to and from our hotel room during our entire stay in Anvaya Cove.

Yumemiya Japanese Cafe

My visit: April 9, 2011

Yumemiya Japanese Cafe

47 Connecticut St., 

Upper Ground floor, NorthEast Square Bldg.,

Greenhills, San Juan

7224838   7210700

DH and I were supposed to find where Lugang Cafe is located but instead we ended up in this newly opened restaurant called Yumemiya Japanese Cafe. A huge banner caught my eye as we were driving along Connecticut street. DH had to make a U turn because it was a little bit too late when I pointed at the sign. One good thing about restaurants in Ortigas is the basement parking. Street parking is also available. 

The interior and cozy atmosphere reminded me of UCC Cafe. Several families were already dining and others were already done with their meal when we walked in.

Cakes are displayed near the cashier. The narrow entrance leads to a wider dining area at the back. I overheard a staff who was in panic because a diner was locked inside the toilet.  I hope by this time they have already solved the problem with the toilet lock. 

I noticed that their menu was limited. If I remembered it right, they don't serve sushi nor sashimi. 

 kama- age udon with miso meat sauce and egg PhP378

DH settled for noodles called kama-age. Kama- age udon is accompanied by a dipping soy sauce. The noodles are quite good. The meat sauce was tomato- based, topped with egg and sprinkled with green onion or scallion.

Udon is one of the most popular Japanese noodles.  It is made of wheat flour, water and salt.

Yoshinoya Century Bangus Kabayaki for Lent

My event: March 14, 2011

Yoshinoya Century Bangus Kabayaki

Century Culinary Circle

Unit 102 Food St.,

Ortigas Home Depot Complex

Dona Julia Vargas Ave., 

Pasig City

Yoshinoya has come out with its latest offering in time for the lenten season. But before I show you what it is,  I know a lot of you are having a hard time finding ways to create different dishes using fish as the main ingredient. I am glad to share with all of you that Century Pacific Group, the same group that brought Yoshinoya to the Philippines, unveiled its newest family member- Century Bangus!

And to prove that fish can be made into different dishes, Yoshinoya, invited bloggers to its test kitchen and made some yummy dishes- appetizer, salad and pasta- using Century Premium Boneless Bangus (Marinated). 

Century Bangus and Farfalle A La Genovese

This is nice! The ribbon pasta was cooked al dente. The pesto sauce was just right... creamy and tasty. And they included my favorite,  grated parmesan cheese they used for garnish!

Taiwan Chronicle: Tonkatsu Wako

My visit: December 27, 2010

Tonkatsu Wako

5/f K Mall

Taipei Main Station

2-2311-5626

It's true that too much shopping can wear you down! We need to eat too! DH and I spent hours in Muji and Daiso. Both shops have an entire floor for themselves inside K Mall. We finally felt hungry around 8:00pm. Looking through the fake food display outside the restaurants, we settled for Tonkatsu Wako.

DH and I shared a set of big bowl of asado noodles and unagi on rice. Cost of which is only NTD250. 

it's hot!

The big bowl of noodle is good enough to share. Well, depending on how hungry you are but we were able to manage. I am not a huge fan of noodles so DH ate the most of it.

Tony and Jackey Salon: Setting Perm

The entire content of this entry has been transferred in my new blog, xoxo MrsMartinez visit the link here.  

My visit: December 24, 2010

I accompanied DH for a haircut at Bang's Tony and Jackey. The franchise is now owned and managed by another Korean named Bang. After his haircut, DH asked me if I miss my curls. To give you a background, it has been almost three years since my last perm. He knew I wanted to have my curls back. But without any promo, a Digital/Setting Perm would cost around PhP 8000 including cut and treatment. 

Package B Aqua setting perm PhP 3000

While DH was paying at the reception table he saw a flier, written on it was a promotion for setting perm. Thank goodness!

But we already have a scheduled lunch date at Kikufuji in Little Tokyo. I was advised by a Filipino assistant that I should come back not later than 3pm to avoid being rushed as the salon will close at 7pm. Having my hair permed thrice already, I know that the procedure will take some time so I set an appointment at 2pm.

To read the full entry, visit Bang's Tony & Jackey: Setting Perm Experience

Izakaya Nihonbashitei Steak

My visit: October 3, 2010

Nihonbashitei

800 Arnaiz Ave., 

San Lorenzo, Makati City

8188893   8188894

I have a very high expectation for Nihonbashitei. Because whenever my car passes by, the parking is always full. The food might be good or so I thought. But what really caught my fancy is the word STEAK written outside the restaurant. That was why I convinced DH to try this one out.

We walked in a pretty busy restaurant. But none of the behind the counter loud-mouth-complaining sushi chefs which I found tacky in Kikufuji just a few meters away in Little Tokyo. We were quickly lead to our seat at the very far end of the restaurant. Restaurants around this area has spacious dining area. Most of the private rooms are for smokers. 

 When I asked for their steaks, the waitress told me that their teppanyaki is on the second floor. Apparently, we were at the wrong part of the restaurant ; p Didn't I tell you that this restaurant is huge?

Here's what we ate that night:

salmon sashimi PhP220

According to DH, although the salmon sashimi looks pale in comparison with what the other Japanese restaurants within the area serves, the taste is just the same.

Kikufuji Japanese Restaurant

My visit: September 10, 2010

Washoku Kikufuji

2277 Pasong Tamo

Makati

located outside Little Tokyo

8937319   8936131

I have first heard about Kikufuji from a restaurateur turned blogger/photographer, Richard. He gave me the restaurant's business card and I, in turn, kept it in my wallet just in case. We seldom go to Makati so I thought I wouldn't be able to try this restaurant out.

Luckily, we have a delivery over a week ago around Makati area. The traffic was not bad and we were able to find it without any glitch!

Alright without further ado, here's our order:

shake sushi PhP185

Kimpura: Black Angus beef rib eye and more!

August  28, 2010

Kimpura
Level 3 Trinoma Mall
EDSA cor. North Ave
Brgy Bagong Pgasa, Quezon City

*READ BELOW FOR UPDATE

Last Saturday, DH and I had a movie date night. But before that we had to eat so he asked me where I would want to eat, I said Kimpura. He said he miss Mey Lin's stir fried string beans with minced pork. I, on the other hand, miss teppanyaki. Guess who won? Me! It is but right because he was the one who asked me out on a date haha

free appetizer

We both got appetizer refill. I love dilis (salted and dried achovies).

Nashojiro Takoyaki

Nashojiro Takoyaki

6457409

09277194652

09175265434

Last Sunday, I was at Rockwell's Urban Bazaar not because of the numerous shops inside but because of Sunrise Buckets- the chicken wings I raved about. During this trip, thanks to my dad who is also fond of food, I have discovered something to rave about- Nashijiro Takoyaki. 

 Nashijiro Takoyaki PhP50/4pcs.

Octoboy Banawe

My visit: July 18, 2009

Octoboy

beside Ersao

Banawe, Quezon City

583546

 facade

Since I first saw this signage when they were just building it, I made a mental note that I wanted to try it out when the store opens.