I'm a big fan of Lori Baltazar's Dessert Comes First. When I read her post about Hai Chix & Steaks, looking at the food photos got me so hungry for steak, I knew I just had to include them in our summer list.
Having our lunch here today was a spur-of-the moment decision. My daughter's been exaggeratedly complaining that she hasn't been out since the dawn of civilization (teenagers!). She's been wrapped tightly around our internet connection all summer long, so I dared her to get ready in a hurry, or else. And as it turns out, this last minute plan was one lip-smacking adventure.
Butter Garlic Shrimp
Hainanese Chicken Rice Set
USDA Rib eye Steak- 330 grams of meaty goodness! Served with steak rice, corn & carrots.
Pinkerton Red Velvet Ice Cream
Service here is fast and friendly. Be sure to go hungry when you do visit because you'd surely want to lick your plates clean and end your meal satisfied : )
Things
like self-expression, feminism, inspiration, music and basically art in
different forms have become vastly important to me, more than they ever
have before. I think the internet is a good place to start interests
and passions such as these, because it's just the best way to find out
how other people interpret them, and find out what you like as well.
I
spend way more time than I should looking
for inspiration than I should be, because my daily dose of it, no
matter how small, is VITAL TO MY SURVIVAL. (I'm not kidding.) I find
most of this inspiration online, so I thought I'd share some of the
things I've discovered on the internet recently. (Warning: this is a
dump post. It's a lot of stuff. But it's good stuff. I hope you enjoy
it.)
Style
I've always loved dressing up,
ever since I was a kid, when my mom would pick my outfits. (She
still does that sometimes.) I hadn't thought about it as a way
of self-expression until around three or four years ago, when I
discovered Tavi Gevinson's blog. Tavi is so creative and quirky and
other-worldly, and I could not grasp that we were about the same age and
she had achieved so much, both fashion-wise and life-wise. I decided
I'd be more creative in the way I dressed. Soon, I found other fashion
blogs and started stalking them, similar to how my mom stalks food
blogs. Mom and I love dressing up and shopping together - we pick out stuff for each other to try on!
lookbook.nu is a creative outlet for fashion consciousness that allows people from all over the world to bring their style to other people all over the world by posting their outfits of the day. I don't even remember how I stumbled upon this site, but now I get daily emails filled with new looks from people I've fanned. IT'S AMAZING.
Here are two looks from two of of my favorite lookbook users, Lucy and Connie!
Music
I discovered Zooey Deschanel after watching 500 Days of Summer. I think you can either love her acting or hate her acting, and I definitely loved it. Zooey also founded a site called HelloGiggles.com with Sophia Rossi and Molly McAleer, where contributors post content aimed at women. So when I found out she made music with M. Ward, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, I decided to give it a listen, and it's just the kind of nostalgic music that grows on you. It's sunny and fun and retro and perfect for road trips and good times. It makes you wanna dress up in poofy skirts and collared tops and tie ribbons in your hair. It's great.
Their indie duo is called She and Him, and they've recently released their newest album, Volume 3. I've listened to the whole thing through a few times and it's exactly what I hoped it would be.
This is the video for one of the lead singles off of Volume 3. It's called I Could've Been Your Girl. It's really cute. Watch it.
Gabrielle Aplin is also one of my favorite artists of the moment. She started out making covers on YouTube, and her voice is literally one of the best I have ever heard. She peaked at No 1 on the UK singles chart with her cover of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood song The Power of Love. She's released a bunch of EPs, but her debut album English Rain just came out and it's a mix of her popular singles and a bunch of new stuff, and it's wonderful. It's become my rainy day soundtrack (we've been getting a lot more rainy days lately, yay!) and I think it should be your rainy day soundtrack too.
This is the album sampler and here is the video for Panic Cord, her latest single, which is lovely.
These are just a few of the things I'm loving, and I'm glad to be able to share it with you! I have lots more to share, so look out for more categories and more posts like this in the future. Hopefully I'll get to post a lot more of these before summer ends because when school starts my internet lurking is greatly compromised and I have to make time for (ugh) homework and projects and whatnot.
There are days when my daughter and I need a Mexican food fix. There's something about Mexican food that is definitely crave-worthy. The combination of grilled meats, beans, guacamole, salsa and cheese always put us in a festive mood. We have taco nights at home every so often and we really enjoy making our own taco versions and eating with our hands. But we've been without househelp since the start of summer and we've found it simpler and easier to just eat out!
Ball Park Nachos- corn chips loaded with beans, guacamole, cheese sauce, corn salsa, jalapenos, pico de gallo, sour cream, black olives
Carne Asada Guaca de Frito-
ten inch, deep fried tortilla filled with beef marinated in lemon & lime, guacamole, chorizo, cheese, diced tomatoes.
We love root beer with Mexican food : )
B & T Mexican Kitchen is a family style, casual restaurant. The bright interiors with splashes of orange will definitely get you in the mood for some good eats. Be prepared to eat with your hands and for some cheese sauce dribbling down your chin. Yummy!
Wooden Spoon serves straightforward Filipino comfort food at affordable prices. It has become so popular ever since it opened last year that the restaurant is almost always filled to the brim. They don't accept reservations, so be prepared to wait. The staff were all friendly and accommodating so we didn't mind waiting at all.
We loved that the menu has a very personal touch to it. Each dish is described in Chef Sandy Daza's own words, and sometimes with a litlle side story about the origin of the dish that it really felt like he was there, personally recommending everything on the menu.
Crab Pancit- "This was a popular appetizer we served at our restaurant Aux
Iles Philippine in Paris, France. Two star Michelin Chef Jacques
Marniere of Au Pactole in the same district, brainstormed this recipe
with my mother Nora Daza. This starter is a rich creamy crab concoction
laid on a bed of light crispy noodles."
Shrimp Pampango- "Crispy shrimps served with our very own tabangtalangka
(crab fat) sauce. It’s so crunchy you can eat everything from head to
tail. Can you believe that this was quite the rave in our restaurant in
Paris? Can you imagine a Parisian trying to pronounce this dish?"
Lechon Kawali- "This is every Filipino’s favorite. I try to use the leanest pork
belly available, simmer it until tender and then deep-fry it until
golden and crunchy. Accompanied with a choice of 3 different dipping
sauces."
Dipping sauces- the 'ubiquitous' Mang Tomas Filipino All Purpose sauce, ginger sauce, and coriander sauce.
Stuffed Pechay- "This dish came straight out of my imagination. The combination of flavors is unique. It is pechay stuffed with tinapa (smoked fish) and simmered in a mildly spicy coconut sauce. Malinamnam!"
Garlic Rice- "White rice seasoned and stir-fried then garnished with chopped spring onions and lots of toasted garlic."
Dinakdakan- "This is a popular dish well known in the Ilocos region. Imagine
tender pork slices broiled and mixed with a sour and savory sauce with
raw onions & peppers tossed in. To the non-Ilocano, it’s something
totally new and different. You have to try it!"
Reyna Blanca- "A refreshing coconut custard topped with crispy pinipig (rice puffs). It’s so yummy!"
Sago Cake- "There’s always room in your tummy for this light dessert of little sagos or saglets as I like to call them. It has a delicate dressing of palm sugar and is sprinkled with crispy pinipig (rice puffs). It’s the great way to clean off your palette!"
The good news is that they will be opening a branch in Power Plant Mall in Rockwell soon! We do hope they keep their friendly prices though : )
Celebrity chef, TV host and producer Bruce Lim, is the man behind Chef's Lab. We had initially wanted to try Chef's Table also by Chef Bruce but we learned that this restaurant closed down and is now known as Chef's Lab in its new location at Burgos Circle in Bonifacio Global City.
Clam Chowder- classic San Francisco style creamy clam soup, chock-full of potatoes, hinted with sauteed bacon and accompanied with crispy garlic bread.
Salt & Pepper Sweet Potato Chips- thinly sliced sweet potatoes, deep fried, served with chili garlic mayo.
Iced Tea Infusion- freshly brewed dark orange pekoe tea with pineapple, cucumber & melon juice, sweetened with lemongrass syrup.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich- flame grilled chicken breast topped with corn, tomato salsa, crispy bacon, lettuce.
They still use these table napkins from Chef's Table.
New menu.
We just had a simple lunch of soup and sandwiches when we visited. Some items we chose from the menu were not available. Hope Chef Bruce would consider reopening Chef's Table in the near future. I so wanted to try his Filipino fusion dishes.
Chef Chris Locher, famous former head chef of C' Italian Dining in Angeles, Pampanga opened his own restaurant in Paco, Manila over a year ago. Located on the ground floor of The Oasis Paco Park Hotel along Belen Street, we were surprised to see the place busy with families and office people dining in for lunch on a weekday. We were even asked if we had made a prior reservation. The restaurant is not located in a popular mall and it's not easy to get to, but I guess if the food is good people will go out of their way, no matter where it is situated.
Grilled Homemade Italian Sausages- with caramelized garlic in red wine sauce accompanied by lentil casserole & golden fried potatoes. We had a combination of classic & sweet aromatic Italian sausages.
The Original Paolo- Chef Chris' very own creation, a fine crisp dough layered with a blend of five different cheese and herbs, topped with parma ham slices, artichoke, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes.
Served with alfalfa sprouts & arugula.
Complimentary warm bread with pesto parmesan dip
Watermelon & Mango Shake
I really liked the homemade sausages that had a distinct flavor of fennel & coriander, while my daughter enjoyed The Original panizza. I'm always happy to see her eating some fresh greens : )
Triple Chocolate Cake with Orange Peel.
We lingered after lunch to savor our dessert. Orange and chocolate is a sure, winning combination and this reminded me of our favorite Jaffa Viennese chocolate biscuits filled with orange marmalade.
We spotted the table beside us presenting a Deal Grocer coupon for their meal. I'll make sure to be on the lookout for discount offers for My Kitchen next time so we can go back for more of those Original panizzas!
We had the chance to visit Gourmandise Patisserie in Serendra, Bonafacio Global City last month, but since we were there in the evening, they had only a few choices left. We've been planning to go back ever since so we could get to try out the other flavors.
My mom found a very good deal for a box of one dozen Gourmandise Patisserie eclairs at Deal Grocer recently and it was perfect for us! It was exactly what we needed. We brought home a box of eclairs to try out and these are what we had...
My mom and I headed to The Fort Strip on a surprisingly cool summer day to go to Early Bird Breakfast Club, where they serve delicious all-day breakfast. We weren't sure whether we'd like it, but we ended up really enjoying the unique flavors and pretty atmosphere of the place.
This is the first thing we read on the menu and it made us smile : )
Our sunshiny server, Noemi, who took good care of us and made sure our meal was fun and pleasant.
One of the chefs who was on his way out stopped by our table just to ask if the food was to our liking and that he hopes to see us again soon. These are the little things that make customers come back again and again.
Sausage Skillet- English bangers, Spanish chorizo, hashed potatoes, caramelized onions
French Toast Fondue- with cinnamon sugar, maple syrup & melted chocolate
Feeling Fruity- seasonal fresh fruits served with Greek yogurt & Palawan honey
Pineapple Sunshine & Passion Fruit Iced Tea
I love eggs!
Peanut Butter & Caramel French Toast- crunchy peanut butter & homemade dulce de leche between caramelized French toast
Their cute takeout box is personalized too!
This restaurant has definitely got to be one of my favorites out of all the ones we've tried so far! Even the music they played was relaxing. It's such a great place to just hang out and munch on yummy food while exchanging stories. I could have stayed for hours! Let us know if you try it out : )
