THE WHOLESOME TABLE

It's been awhile, since the last time I blogged again, blame my laptop that has been my best friend for a couple of years but finally bid farewell to me after my last post, anyway this blog post is certainly not about the laptop that I got as a replacement, lol!

I went yesterday for another gastronomic adventure and this time, I went for something healthy since I feasted over carbs last Saturday with my coworkers :D

I've always been on the lookout for a place that serve healty yet sumptous dishes and thank God for the birth of The wholesome Table by Ms. Bianca Araneta - Elizalde. 

Freshly baked complimentary potato buns will be served while you're waiting for your order.

I ordered Vegan Cheese (Homemade tofu ricotta cheese, topped with sweet onion jam. php220) I'm such a fan of tofu and trying one as a spread is like a breath of fresh air. The blandness of tofu balances out the flavor of the sweet onion jam. This dish definitely gets a perfect score of 5.

I also tried their Organic Mushroom Fritters (Mozzarella-stuffed button mushrooms wrapped in homemade Italian sausage, breaded and crisp fried and served with a fresh cherry tomato passato. php320) This is my favorite among all the dishes that I've tried. For anyone of you who loves sausage, this is a definite must try. Their twist on it is just epic. I thought that the tomato would be too sour because of the generous serving of it but boy I was so wrong! It tasted just right, I miss it already while typing this, lol! This dish is a sure 5 as well. 

For my dessert/smoothie I tried their Be Dreamy (Mango, banana, chia seeds, goji berries, coconut milk, lemon, honey. php190) This is so refreshing, tastes really good and oh so healthy which also deserves a 5.

I would highly recommend this place for health buffs out there. Everything in the menu is organic, freshly served, no processed food involved and antibiotic and nitrate free.

The Wholesome Table is located at 30th Street corner 7th Ave, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. They're open daily fr 11am to 11pm.

IHOP

Yesterday, me and my cousin tried the newly open branch of Ihop or International House of Pancake in my second home, Alabang Muntinlupa City. Aside from the pancakes, they're also serving Filipino breakfast. 

 

My cousin tried their Classic Pork Tocino (php295). It is served with garlic rice and two eggs that you can choose to either be cooked as sunny side up or scrambled. It also has atchara and vinegar on the side. This dish gets a prefect score of 5 from us because the tocino was just so tender and have just the right flavor, it is not too sweet.

 

I tried their New York Cheesecake Pancakes (php285). I can say that this is the best pancake that I've ever tasted. The cream, strawberry and strawberry syrup wasn't too sweet, tasted just right as well. This dish is also a 5.

 

 

We also tried their Breakfast Sampler with Buttermilk Pancake (php395). This dish is perfect for those whose head over heels in love with American breakfast, like I do and for those  who has a big appetite like I do as well, lol! Now y'all know why we ordered for this and we didn't had any single regret, even if were kinda full already with the first set of dishes that we try. Everything was reeeaaallly good, especially the sausage. This is a defo 5 as well!

I hope that you could have your palates treated with these goodies as well, especially to my fellow Southerners out there. You don't have to go all the way to Manila to experience this heavenly breakfast dishes that is available any time of the day. I would like to give kudos as well for their perfect customer service. Keep it up guys!

Ihop is located at Spectrum Center, Block 28, Filinvest City, Alabang. 

They also have other branches at: 

 W Global Center. 30th St cor 9th Ave Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Loyola Heights, QC

SM Mall of Asia, Seaside Blvd, Manila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay City

Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave, Poblacion Makati

All branches are open fr:

Mon - Thu: 6:00 am - 12:00 am

Fri - Sat: 6:00 am - 6:00 am

100 REVOLVING RESTAURANT

I was out for another gastronomic adventure yesterday when I went to 100 Revolving Restaurant in Libis, which is the brainchild of Chef Jessie.

 

 

 

The restaurant not only serve uber delectable dishes but it also boasts of an amazing view of  the whole C5 which you can enjoy if you come here by lunchtime and at night your eyes will be feasting over the lights in the whole city. If you don't want to be in the rotating area, then you can use the tables on the non carpeted floors. For those of you who want to try dining on the rotating area, you may focus on your food or the view so you won't feel dizzy. 

 

They serve French and Filipino cuisine. This time I opted for something Filipino, since I was able to try French cuisine when I went to Bizu Patisserie. I tried their Smoked Milkfish and Tuyo Flakes Pasta (php395), that is also served with capers, micro arugula and has lemon zest. At first, I was hesitant to try this because I was really intending to try their Pinoy Pizza but it was unavailable when I went there but I've no regrets opting for this dish instead. Their tuyo flakes were not too salty, everything blends perfectly with the pasta. It definitely deserves a perfect score of 5 out 5.

 

I also tried their Kesong Puti Salad (php200), which I soooo love as well, especially the kesong puti, it's not too salty, I was able to eat it on it's own and the vinaigrette dressing was also gooooood. This dish is also a 5.

 

Lastly, I tried their  Buko Pandan Smoothie (php195), which I also love, love , love. It's really refreshing and definitely deserves a perfect score as well. 

I really love my 100 Revolving Restaurant experience. The food, ambiance and customer service screams perfection. 

100 Revolving Restaurant is located at 33rd flr MDC 100 Building, C5 Corner Eastwood Drive, Libis, Quezon City. They're open from 11am to 11pm.

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE - CHRIS BROWN FT. BENNY BENASSI

Here's another song recommended by my cousin with the same taste in music as I am, who also recommended the song Happy by Pharrell Williams to be featured here in my blog, so expect for this track to be upbeat as well :D

Anyway, this song was the third single off of Chris Brown's fourth sudio album, F.A.M.E. which was released last March 11, 2011. This song is all about believeing in oneself and not letting anyone to bring you down.

At first, I was hesitant to feature this song here in my blog because personally, I get easily affected by what other people say and think about me and I just don't really have that self confidence that most people think  I have, I guess the way I dressed seems to help me fake it. Good thing, I have people around me who always believes in me and never fail to remind me how blessed I am to even waste a second of my life being stressed out with people who doesn't even deserve to be an issue in my life, anyway so much for the drama, lol! I hope you like this song. The lyrics is just below:

Everywhere, everywhere, everywhere I go
Everywhere that I've been, the only thing I see is
Is beautiful people, beautiful people
Beautiful people, beautiful people

Don't you know? Don't you know?
Beautiful, don't you know?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
Beautiful, don't you know, know, know

Live your life, live your life
Let that love inside
It's your life, it's your life
The beauty's deep inside, inside you

Don't let 'em bring you down, no
The beauty is inside you
Don't let 'em bring you down, no

Don't you know? Don't you know?
Beautiful, don't you know?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
Beautiful, don't you know, know, know
Know, know, know

Know, know, know
Know, know, know
Know, know, know
Know, know, know

Take your time, take your time
Take your sexy time
Don't lose your head, lose your head
Your beauty's deep inside, inside you

Don't let 'em bring you down, no
The beauty is inside you
Don't let 'em bring you down, no

Don't you know? Don't you know?
Beautiful, don't you know?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
Beautiful, don't you know, know, know
Know, know, know

Know, know, know
Know, know, know
Know, know, know
Know, know, know

Beautiful people, beautiful people
Beautiful people, beautiful people

Live your life, live your life
Let that love inside
It's your life, it's your life
Got to play it right

Beautiful people

lyrics courtesy of metrolyrics.com

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