All those back to school shopping made me quite sickly these past few days!

So, with the persistence of my health conscious Mom plus the approval of my Sister 3, we’ve dined at Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House a few hours ago to taste their offerings. Below are the food that my Mom and Sister 3 ordered since they are both regulars of this restaurant. Photos courtesy of Pho Hoa’s website since my family did not want me to take pictures of the food while eating…hahaha…

Seafood Noodle Soup

This Vietnamese restaurant is famous for their noodle soup so my mom recommended that we should try it. The Seafood Noodle Soup did not fail to impress me as the collective scents of herbs really captivated my taste buds. I quickly thought of this soup as a comfort food. In fact, I could sip this soup for days just to feel better! My son and I actually shared a big bowl of this soup and we both like it. A good value for money indeed. It’s refreshingly yummy as well!

Grilled Chicken and Spring Rolls with Rice

I must say that the  grilled chicken and spring rolls with rice is a perfect dish for dinner. It was not oily or swimming with fat and the rice is quite interesting because it reminds me of Chinese yang chow fried rice in a Vietnamese flavor.

Grilled Pork and Spring Rolls with Rice

The grilled pork and spring rolls with rice is just as tasty as the chicken but to be honest, I like the first one better because the spring rolls complemented well with their chicken. I don’t know, it must have been the way they marinated the chicken. But just the same, this dish is worth eating for working lunch or dinner as it will satisfy your stomach with flavorful herbs infused to the pork meat.

Unfortunately, the combination of the grilled chicken and spring rolls with rice meal, the seafood noodle soup and iced tea made me too full to try their famous Pomelo Shrimp Salad at the end of the meal.

Better luck next time, I guess…

Cuisine: Vietnamese and Vegetarian
Location: SM Megamall B, Lower Ground Building B Megamall
Specialties: Vietname noodle soup, Pomelo Shrimp Salad
Website: Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House
Type: Casual, specialty dishes
Payment Method: Cash/ Credit Card
Recommendation: Highly recommended for people who crave for Vietnamese food and vegetarian offerings. They made a fan of the seafood noodle soup and I have this feeling that I will be back again to try their popular dishes. Food served are really refreshingly healthy but a bit lagging in customer service because they seemed to be slow in serving the ordered dishes.

Cheers,

Grand Villa Mansion

Planning to have a family summer getaway without going far away from Manila?

Then, I would suggest that you go to Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre in Laguna to have a much needed rest from the metropolis. Don’t be fooled by the one and a half hour drive because once inside the resort, you will feel that you are completely detached from the congested atmosphere of the city.

The Olympic swimming pool

Here’s my review:

The rooms
My family (party of 10) stayed on two hotel rooms located at the Grand Villa Mansion during the Lenten season. Personally,  I have these doubts that the assigned hotel rooms will be a little tiny for 5 people each (I was actually planning to get one more room) but my hesitations were all gone when I saw how each room looked like. Then, our rooms were strategically located at the covered private pool as well. The location was just right for us, yey!

Olympic swimming pool entrance

My son enjoying the water at the covered private pool

The covered private pool
We took advantage of the chance that our rooms were strategically located near the private pool. It was actually the best thing that happened to us during the first day because there was an ongoing summer outing for Goldilocks bakeshop!  We loved the privacy of this pool plus it was so near the Adventure Kamp side of the resort.

Spa Garden Room

The food
Too bad, the resort strictly prohibits bringing food so the entire family decided to avail of their offered buffet meal. During the first day, my family had a welcome snack that was served at the private pool and a managed buffet dinner that was served at the Olympic poolside of the resort. Then, we had managed breakfast buffet, morning snack and a managed lunch buffet on our second day.

The dishes served were all okay. Very home cooked meal. Memorable dishes that they served were the yummy fish fillet, the chicken arroz caldo, the tomato soup and the salad cabbage. It was quite a surprise because I didn’t expect that they’ll serve such yummy dishes. The quality of the food was a far cry from our first visit here at Grand Villa sometime in 2010 as the crispy pata and the adobo doesn’t taste that good. But after a year, the taste of the food improved a lot.

Relaxing Jacuzzi

The Spa and Jacuzzi room

The owner must have loved Bali so much as one can clearly see how it was executed in every corner of the resort. It was not actually the Jacuzzi that I liked here but the furniture! The big Buddha wall décor that will greet guests was just enough for me to be relaxed! I also liked the big comfy chairs because it made me suddenly fall asleep while we were waiting for our Jacuzzi attendant. Our rest and recuperation was almost perfect if she was not too late that night – geez, we waited her for almost an hour before we were allowed to enter a Jacuzzi room.

Adventure Kamp

at the Butterfly Centre

So glad I didn’t booked  my family at the tree house because it is so far away from the ‘heart’ of the resort proper!

The ostriches at the mini zoo

The mini-zoo and butterfly centre tour
If you plan to go here, I strongly recommend you to avail of the mini-zoo and butterfly centre tour because it’s a good family activity. During the tour, you will have a chance to see the other amenities like the Adventure Kamp, the tree houses and the owner’s magnificent collection of roosters! The butterfly presentation at the Audio Visual Room was quite entertaining too because the oldies were given a feel of a ‘field trip mode’ before touring the butterfly garden.

Resort Name: Grand Villa Resort and Butterfly Centre Laguna
Address: Purok 2, Barangay Tranca, Bay, Laguna
Website: http//www.grandvillaresort.ph
Email address: Go to this LINK should you want to email inquiry
Contact Number: MANILA OFFICE (632) 643-7261
Recommendation: Overall, my family and I enjoyed our Lenten vacation here. And since my son is not yet ‘ready’ to ride a plane for a semestral break this October, my husband and I may booked a weekend here soon.

Cheers,

Photo Credits:
My Canon IXUS 75 Camera (all labeled with my site) and the rest Grand Villa Resort Website

Craving for Filipino food but on a tight budget?

Then, I recommend Kamay Kainan Restaurant in Market Market Taguig to enjoy food even on a small budget.

Have an eat-all-you can food trip in this restaurant for a budget less than Php300 and indulge yourself with Filipino dishes, salads and desserts.

Must try dishes are the ginataang kuhol, kaldereta, menudo and kare-kare. For the salad bar, the only notable is the green mango salad but you’ll surely enjoy the ice cream served for dessert ala-sorbetero style!

What I like about Kamay Kainan
The restaurant promotes the Filipino heritage through their decorations and obviously food. I really love the way they presented the ice cream cart at this place as it reminds me of ‘Mamang Sorbetero’ when I was just a kid.

What needs improvement
The signage needs to be updated as the free tempura and oysters advertised at the tarpaulin won’t be served to you even if you asked for it. In addition, the waiters needs to attend another 101 on customer service as they seemed to be so slow in responding customer requests.

Cheers,

Photo Credits: My Canon IXUS 75

I can guarantee that having the “Better Than Buffet” treat at Red Kimono would be a different experience than the rest as a diner can order anything on the special buffet menu in any quantity and eat all you can without leaving leftovers.

So, are you planning to try their buffet but you don’t have a clue on what to order?

Below are my favorites:

Miso Soup: light but just right as a starter

Pork dumpling gyoza with dipping sauce…Yum!

Tempura

Karaage aka vegetable fritters

Salmon and cream cheese maki

Chocolate Balls: I love this treat as there are soft strawberry flavor in the center

Green Tea Ice Cream: Refreshing!!!

So, what’s my verdict?

Red Kimono Japanese Restaurant has a wide variety of dishes but the buffet is somewhat overshadowed by serving too much for one person. The ‘Better Than Buffet’ is generally good for at least three people with big appetites but their offering won’t work if two persons are only sharing the ‘ala-carte buffet’.

Money well spent if you are going here very very hungry or in a company of big eaters!

3 out of 5 spoons for me!

Cuisine : Modern Japanese Cuisine
Location: Unit 1A Ground Floor, Fort Strip, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Specialties: California Crunch Maki, Salmon and Cream Cheese Maki, Layered Spinach and Tofu
Type : Casual, Specialty Dishes
Payment Method: Cash/ Credit Card

Cheers,

Photo Credit: My Nokia E71 Camera Phone

Looking for Galileo Enoteca and Deli Restaurant along the obscure part of the Mandaluyong area has been a hard task for a self- proclaimed food critic like me, but once I got inside, all my worries disappeared as the restaurant surprised me with spectacular interiors such as vintage wine cellar, brick walls and fancy murals.

For an old soul like me, the place was indeed a feast in the eyes!

Galileo Enoteca: Old Italian charm setting

Interesting Painting

Complimentary Bread Basket

Pesto Pasta (I forgot the exact name! ~LOL~)

Chocolate Gelato

The simple but well planned set meal is a great starter to get acquainted with their authentic Italian cuisines. For an affordable price of P600 – a diner can have a taste of Italian cold cuts and cheese platter with mixed olives and greens, a choice of pasta, a glass of wine and a cup of tea or coffee after the meal.
Rating: 5/5
Cuisine : Italian
Location: 80 Calbayog St., corner Malinao St.,
Contact Number: 534-4633
Specialties: Cold cuts and cheese platter, eggplant parmeggiana, risotto and Italian wines
Type : Casual and fine dining
Payment Method : Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex

Cheers,

Photo Credits: Multiply and my E71 Nokia Phone

Looks like I have been mesmerized again by the Delifrance café so, while waiting for my husband to fetch me in Makati (after going shopping again, of course!:P), I opted to stop by to relish one of their Tray Couture Collection as a treat.

Here’s my review on the Cherie French Gourmet Set:

Bread Knots. Eating bread knots is simply a great way to start a meal. The crunchy bread was a great appetizer together with the potato soup.

Potato Soup. I just love how their potato soup was served! Drinking a creamy soup through a shot glass was certainly fun experience for a change.

Garlic Pesto Pasta. This probably one of the best that I have ever tasted around Metro Manila. The pesto pasta served was well seasoned with the right amount of extra virgin oil, parmesan cheese and of course with my favorite fresh basil leaves.

California Chicken Club House. I find eating this sandwich a delight as I have never thought that a mango would bring some ‘oomph’ to the sandwich! Moreover, I also find it refreshing.

Chocolate Praline. The little chocolate was just a little too sweet for my tastes, but they’re not bad. In fact, eating it at the end of the meal was just right for me as the pasta has a strong herb in it.

So, what’s my verdict?

Overall, I find the Cherie Tray Couture an excellent feast and also a great value for money. Finishing my meal with a choice drink (Four Seasons Juice) also made this tray couture special because it made the dining experience more customized for someone like me.

Craving for a pasta pesto? Check out this video below:

Cheers,

Photo Credit: My Nokia E71 Camera Phone

In my pursuit for some quick Japanese food while waiting for my son’s school time to end, yours truly stumble upon Karate Kid Japanese Fastfood at SM Megamall located in the 2nd floor level. Below are the dishes that I have ordered:

• Chicken Teriyaki – I find the Karate Kid’s chicken teriyaki good but not extraordinary. In fact, I became disappointed when the waiter placed the dish plainly on my table as I was kind of expecting a more Japanese-like presentation on the top of my plate. I have no issues with the taste as the dish is okay. However, the flavor is not somewhat original because the teriyaki chicken tasted like the chicken barbecue that I am usually ordering at Jollibee. Anyway, this ‘Blockbuster Meal Promo’ is not bad for P99.00!
• California Maki – Their version of California maki is a little bit tastier compared to Tokyo-Tokyo. I also love that they had topped it with some mayonnaise. I like the makimo sauce as well.
• Kido Punch Tea – Two thumbs up for the tea! I just love how they blended the apple, cherry, pineapple and orange in one drink. Their concoction reminds me so much of the ‘holiday drink’ that I usually mix during Christmas – what only lacking is some alcoholic drink to spice it up!

So what’s my verdict?

To be honest, I have a mix review on this Japanese fastfood but I would love to give it another try because I have only tasted their promotional stuff during the time that I went there. But personally, I find this fastfood chain promising so it won’t be a surprise should I discover myself blogging about them again in my next visit.

Cheers,

Photo Credit: My Nokia n71 phone and Karate Kid

Playing Café World made me curious about Greek cuisine. The taste of a gyro platter dish intrigues me so much that is why I tried a ‘real one’ all by myself yesterday.

Anyway, I’ve finally tasted a gyro platter at Go Greek! They have a food stall located in Glorietta 4 Food Choices at the 4th floor level of the Ayala Center. You can never miss it if you are into Facebook because you will be reminded right away of the famous game the moment you saw their spot. Below is the picture of what I have eaten and also my opinion regarding the dish:

I’m a lover of fresh ingredients that is why I do not hesitate to try the gyro platter combo. As a first timer, I have been very ‘matanong’ on what is the most popular order. The service crew suggested that I should try the gyro with lamb as this stuff was their best seller.

Well, I thought that the choice was okay. But it was a big mistake…

Lesson learned.

I will never try to eat lamb in Go Greek! again. Nope, it wasn’t the fault of neither the crew nor the meat but you know – it doesn’t agree with my stomach. I can’t take the smell and the taste of the lamb. The potato salad was okay and I can say the same way with the salad. But, the pita bread could have been perfect if I have partnered it with chicken meat instead of the lamb.

Oh well, better luck next time…

Cuisine: Greek and Persian food
Location: Food Choices, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippine
Specialties: Pita bread, Salad and Lamb meat
Type: Casual, fast food
Payment Method: Cash

Cheers,

Photo Credit: From my nokia n71

Last Sunday, right after attending a mass in SM Megamall, my family and I had a wonderful dinner at the Holy Cow Steak Ranch and American Grill located at the 3/F Atrium side of the mall.

For a starter, we ordered their Baked Onion Soup. It was too creamy for my taste but my 7-year old son who also ordered the hot soup liked it so much. We ended up ordering another serving right after he finished a bowl.

Then, I have ordered a ‘Running-Iron Chicken Barbecue’ for myself. The chicken was tenderly cooked. It was also a great decision to eat the chicken with steam rice and buttered veggies as the sidings complemented well with the succulent taste of the meat.

My husband was not disappointed too as he now became a fan of their famous ‘Lonestar Grilled Pork Chop’. The meat was cooked just right – it was not rubbery or it doesn’t taste like a hard nougat.

Overall, my family and I loved the food here and might be back again for another round of barbecues and grill food.

Cuisine: American
Location: 3/F Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Specialties: Grill Food, Hamburger, Barbeque
Type: Casual
Payment Method: Cash, Visa, Mastercard,

Photo Credit: All photos taken from my Nokia E71 mobile phone

Beating the heat is better when you eat a halo-halo this summer!

Halo-halo, which literally means ‘mix-mix’ in English language is probably the most famous dessert in the Philippines. This Filipino classic is a combination of fruits in season, gelatin, evaporated milk, gelatin, leche flan, ube jam and shaved ice. Some also add a scoop of ice cream for an extreme treat.

So, do you want to beat the scorching heat like I do? Then, try eating Max’s Restaurant Gigantic Halo-halo and share it among friends.

Cheers,