TIM HO WAN, SM MEGA FASHION HALL

Last week was the opening of Tim Ho Wan, the newest restaurant franchised by Ricky Dee, who's also responsible for the opening of the first international celebrity chef restaurant in the Philippines, Todd English Food Hall. This time he partnered with Felix Ang, of CATS Motors.

Tim Ho wan is the most affordable michelin star restaurant, so it's all fine dining quality but this time without causing a hole in your pocket. This is also one of the restaurants in Hong Kong and Singapore that most tourists and locals won't mind lining up for if they're craving for dim sum dishes, as evidenced by the picture below, which was taken in their Hong Kong branch.

 

  

This was still the scene at Tim Ho Wan, even if I went there yesterday which was already after 5 days fr it's original opening day and I think it would still go on for a couple of months. I waited on queue for almost 10 minutes. 

 

I ordered for their Four Heavenly Kings, which includes this Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (PHP145 for 3 pcs), I can say that this is one of my fave in the bunch. The bread has a perfect sweetness and softness that goes really well with the pork bbq inside. It's like fried Siopao but waaaay better. This one deserves a score of 5 out of 5.

 

My next fave would have to be this Vermicelli Rolls with Pig's Liver (PHP 150 for 3 pcs). The translucent wrapper is so soft but can still perfectly hold the filling inside. The pig's liver was very tender as well with an oh so yummy meaty flavor. This dish is also a 5.

 Another dish in the list of Four Heavenly Kings is this Steamed Egg Cake (PHP85) which is just sooo moist and tastes really good because of it's coconut milk flavor. This one's also a 5.

Lastly is this Pan Fried Turnip Cake, which at first really tastes weird, maybe because I haven't tried anything like this before, it's kinda salty but then I realized that it tasted better with soy sauce. This dish gets a score of 3 from me.

Tim Ho Wan is located at GF of SM Mega Fashion Hall and will soon open at Glorietta and SM Mall of Asia.

 

 

 

LE SPA, SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA

I just want to share with you guys my latest spa experience. The last time that I had one was when I went to La Reine Nail and Day Spa, which is perfect for those that only need extra pampering for their hands and feet and for those who are on a budget, not that I'm not on a budget when I went to Le Spa, I guess I was just really in a mood to try something new for a spa experience, anyway when I went there yesterday before I meet my friend in SM Mall of Asia which I haven't seen in a while, I was in awe with the interiors, the  entire place will really make you forget about the word "stress", they will also offer you tea while waiting if you arrive early for your appointment.

  

 I had a one hour massage for my hands and feet(2000php), which I find more relaxing as compared to having a full body massage, which I know is oh so weird, lol!

 

 

I was  lucky to have my massage done in this room, because this type of room is only for their couples massage package according to my therapist and I'm sorry I wasn't able to ask what was the reason I had my massage here, maybe it was just really my lucky day :D

 

She was my therapist, Ms. Lisa, who's suuuuuuuuper nice and really good with her job. Two thumbs up for her. It was also very sweet of her to show me the jacuzi and locker room of the spa.

 

 

So far, this is the best spa experience that I've ever had! From the ambiance, customer service to  the service itself, everything deserves a perfect score of five.

For more details about their other services, you can visit this link:

http://www.sofitelmanila.com/en/le-spa.html 

Le Spa is located at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Atang Dela Rama, Pasay City 1300 

Tel #:(02) 551 5555

 

 

CITY GARDEN HOTEL - MAKATI

Each one of us need  some "me time" once in a while. Most of  the people I know go to spa's if they need one, some are going on a shopping spree, I'm also guilty of that, lol! It's really up to you, but my fave form of "me time", you might find this weird, is staying in hotels even just for a night if I can't get a chance to travel. The last time I did this was in Azumi Boutique Hotel I do this if I'm reeeaaally stressed and dying to have a totally different environment, and last Friday, when the one day leave that I filed at work was approved, I went to City Garden Hotel in Makati. 

 

 

 I booked for a Superior room, which comes with a bath tub. This room is perfect for single guest like me.

 

photo from gogobot.com

I wanted so much to swim when I was here, but the pool was always packed with kids :D

 

photo from fnetravel.com

You have an option to try their buffet breakfast at Le Jardin Restaurant, located at the 2nd level of the hotel.

 

 
This is what I got for beakfast, which I kinda regret, not because it doesn't taste good, it does actually, it's just that maybe because I was just really hungry when I took my breakfast that I just tried the first set of meals that I saw and didn't bother looking around, I didn't notice the pasta, and salad that I would really prefer, but anyway this Nasi Goreng, sauteed mushrooms, buttered potatoes and sausages aren't bad at all. They all get a perfect score of 5.

 

This coffee, sans creamer and sugar already tastes goooooood. I would definitely give this a 5.

I hope that you enjoy reading my sharing of my City Garden Hotel experience. You can also try the same form of "me time ", in the same exact hotel, as it's worth every penny as well, the amenities and facilities were really good and so with the customer service.

City Garden Hotel Makati is located at 7870 Makati Avenue corner Kalayaan Avenue
Makati City, Philippines. 

Just so you could have an idea of their rates, you can go to this link, 

http://reservations.directwithhotels.com/reservation/showRooms/28/2014-05-12/2014-05-13/en/0/

 

 

BAG OF BEANS, TAGAYTAY CITY

Last Sunday, me and my cousin had our breakfast in my all time fave restaurant, Bag of Beans in Tagaytay. We frequently go to their bigger branch in Aguinaldo but this time we tried their smaller branch near Rotonda. 

 

photo fr hyperionzoomlover.blogspot.com

At first, I didn't get the point of why they have to come up with two branches in the same city, but after visiting their smaller branch, I totally understood. The restaurant in Aguinaldo is for bigger groups like for family and friends but the one near Rotonda is  more intimate, ideal for coffee dates and you'll have a wonderful view of the Taal Lake in their balcony.

 

 

 

 

I ordered for Breakfast Sampler (390php), this is what I also got the last time that I went to their Aguinaldo branch, I remember when I first tried it there, it was soooooo good! especially the hash brown but when I tried it again in this smaller branch, I didn't really enjoy it. It's seems that everything was just reheated when we ordered it and it was cooked since Saturday. It's okay if the food was not really freshly cooked so long as it doesn't compromise the taste and it's not really obvious. I only enjoyed the sausage and bacon on this meal, so this dish will only get a score of 2.5 out of 5 from me.

 

We also tried their Norweigan Salmon Steak (390php) which we didn't really enjoy as well,the salmon was good but it could have been better if it doesn't seem to be really dry and the french fries which I don't know how to explain the taste but anyone who would try it will also not like it, sorry,but the veggies were good though, this dish is also a 2.5.

 

If you're a fan of over the top sour fruit juice then you should try this drink and since I'm not, this juice gets a score of 2 from me. The sourness was just too much.

 

Finally something that I really enjoyed from this dining experience, this Caramel Macchiato (120php) was just soo good! It really made up for the not so pleasurable experiences of my taste buds with the dishes that I've tried. This coffee deserves a 5.

TOPSHOP X KATE MOSS

Good news to all Kate Moss fans out there,  she teamed up again with Topshop for her second stint in designing, the first one was last 2007.
 
The collection comprises of pyjama dressing, Balearic dressing, tailoring noir and cocktail hour  - all of which represents Kate's uber stylish looks.
 
The collection was available online and in store at Topshop branches in  Robinsons Magnolia, Power Plant Mall, Greenbelt 3 and SM Aura Premier since April 30th and you can also get a limited edition Kate Moss canvass bag for every single-receipt purchase from the collection.

 

Here are Kate's latest creations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos are from vogue.co.uk