Birthday 2015

Come -ber months, I already stopped hoping that my birthday this year can beat, be the same, or even come close to last year’s. I just wanted to celebrate the most important day of the year for me. Your birthday may be just a regular day for you, but then again, to each his own.

December 19, I went to Trinoma to meet up with Miko. Then we went to the Church of The Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman to hear mass. We arrived early, so Miko ate some red isaw, dynamite and hotdogs first at the stall near Mang Larry’s. I didn’t have any because I was still full from the Yellow Cab pepperoni pizza I got from Trinoma.

The simbang gabi was at 8pm and the gospel was about The Visitation. The homily said that we should focus on Jesus being the reason for the season and not material gifts or vacations or other worldly things we now associate with Christmas. I agree. Jesus should be the focus of Christmas. I should be the focus of my birthday. Haha.

After mass, we went to Good Burger in Maginhawa for dinner. I still wasn’t hungry, so I only had some fries and chicken, while Miko had some healthy burger creation and milk tea from the store beside GB. We talked about work (mostly my career) while eating, so even if I learned lots from his insight, I kinda lost my appetite. Hehe.

We went to Taste of L.A. for my birthday salubong. This was where I also had my salubong last year. I love this old resto in Roces. It has candles and roses and paintings- three things that are on top of my list of favorite things. Instead of wine, I had some whisky. And instead of chocolate lava cake, we had frozen cheesecake. The cheesecake is much much much better than the chocolate cake. Guess what I wished for when it turned 12?

Dec 20… we went to Galleria to watch Star Wars The Force Awakens. Before that, he hit the gym first and I had my me time at Café Pascucci. Then we went to Toys R Us to get some gifts for his inaanaks. I saw two Care Bears that look like us. Shempre ako si Funshine Bear.

It was my 2nd time to watch TFA and it was his 1st time to watch a Star Wars movie. His reaction after 2hours and 15minutes of watching?

“Ayoko. Walang Ewoks!!!” 😂

It took us almost an hour to get to EDSA Shangri La. Terrible traffic! We were definitely hangry by the time we got to HEAT. In fact, I started eating while he was still parking. :P

I enjoyed the food better in HEAT than in Circles (Makati Shangri La), but I liked the ambience of the latter better. The dishes that I loved in HEAT were the maki with lots of bonito flakes, herb crusted cold cuts, meat loaf, crabs in lemon garlic sauce, roasted lamb chops, roasted angus belly, churros, and blueberry mousse. Miko loved all the meats except their sisig. He also liked the mango cheesecake.

HEAT has an iced tea buffet, and you need to pay an extra 200php to avail. Also 200php for the unlisoda. And for unli wine, add 700php. I had the unli iced tea and my fave was cucumber lemonade.

The cost of Sunday dinner buffet is P2,200 I think. The original plan was to have my birthday/our anniversary dinner at Spiral in Sofitel, but it was okay that it didn’t push through because of the rain and traffic.

I quickly fell asleep right after Miko brought me home. I woke up with a little sadness because my birthday was over. It was happy, but there was something else I wanted.

I went to MOA to meet up with my bestfriend Donnie and I already had a feeling that he tried to invite our other friends so celebrate my birthday. I also had a feeling that it was only Jan who could make it. And of course, tama ako.

I was touched that Donnie and Jan took the extra mile to be with me and arrange a surprise to make me happy on my a day after my birthday. Sabi ko nga, kung kilala mo talaga ako nang mabuti, alam mo na gusto ko ng surprise. Hindi kailangang bongga, basta meron. At alam mo dapat na gusto ko ng cake na may masarap na frosting na may candle.

Nagpa-fireworks pa sila Jan at Donnie para sa akin. May live band pa sa tabi na tumugtog ng Achey Breakey Heart at Nanghihinayang. 😰

Come December 22, I was already on leave. I went home here in Bataan and the first thing that greeted me in our humble farmhouse was that little brown furry cute puppy! It’s my parents’ birthday gift for me! A labrador mix that I named Toshi. It means alert, intelligent and bright in Japanese. Miko suggested that I name it Potpot. So I decided that should be the nickname. I think the puppy likes his nickname better because he wags his tail nonstop whenever he hears it. 😜

So that’s how I spent my birthday. It may not be as happy as the one in 2014, but it is still my second favorite birthday of all. Thank you to all those who remembered. To those who didn’t, HU U?

// listening to A Second Chance

Dinner and Drinks in Forbestown Road, Burgos Circle (Tipsy Pig and Reserve Gastro Tavern)

I liked Tipsy Pig’s Salted Caramel Beer so much (had it when we were in their Capitol Commons branch) that I was intrigued to have some of their chow too.

We went to Tipsy Pig in BGC for some light dinner. Yes, light. I had a plateful of bacon, eggs and toast while I was waiting for Miko to pick me up, that I wasn’t my usual HANGRY self when we went out that night. :p

I had a piglet of salted caramel beer (around 120php) and Smoked Salmon Pizza (425php). I would have finished the pizza had I not been still full. Loved the smoked salmon with cream cheese. Dill isn’t my favorite herb but it really works well with salmon. The beer-crust wasn’t bad either.

Miko had the Six-Hour Beef Shank (595php) that’s beeh shank braised for six hours served with tomato-basil jus, mashed potatoes, and marrow toast. The beef tasted like a sosyal version of mechado x asado.

Tipsy Pig dishes that I’d like to have next time are Belly Goos Sisig Nachos, Jack and Coke BBQ Ribs, and Boneless Crispy Pata.

Much as we wanted to stay at Tipsy Pig for drinks, there were no available tables in the smoking area so we transferred to Reserve which is just around the block. We had several rounds of Hoegaarden, Stella Artois, cucumber mojito, and this yummy cocktail called Toblerone. A regular glass of imported beer costs around 150php. Prices are a bit higher for cocktails.

I liked the ambience– with the tall shrubs and candlelight and 90’s music (hehe). A chill spot to just drink and talk. Will see soon if we’ll get to like their food.

Tipsy Pig
02 7013719

Reserve Gastro Tavern
02 8329897

Forbestown Road, Burgos Circle,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

// listening to Constantine S01E07

 

Burgers & Brewskies – Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons

Burgers & Brewskies hosted the Comedy Manila show last Saturday. We arrived early to concentrate on B&B’s food and drinks before we giving our undivided attention to the comedians. :)

Miko had the Walk of Shame (340php) that has 1/3lb beef pattie with spiced mustard aioli, cheese sauce, egg in a whole wheat bun, crispy bacon, crispy potato hay, and lemonnaise.

I had another bestseller- Call The Nurse (280php). Also made with 1/3lb beef pattie, and has spiced mustar aioli, cheese sauce, seared mac n cheese, and honey sriracha bacon. I was hesitant to order this because I didn’t think the mac n cheese would work with the rest of the burger, but it had me with honey sriracha bacon. Just for that ingredient, my burger was better than Miko’s. :p Lamang lang siya kasi may crispy patatas siya on the side. Hehe.

If you don’t wanna eat beef, you can opt for their other patties made with chicken, fish, or red lentils. For sides, the choices are potato wedges, onion rings, sweet potato fries, grilled corn, nachos, fries, fish poppers, and salad.

We skipped the sides and got a plate of Buffalo Wings with Bleu Cheese Sauce (220php) instead. Wings also come in other flavors like Honey Garlic, Sesame Sriracha, and Angry Korean (I’m guessing this is ultra spicy kimchi).

They have dozens of brewskies to choose from. We had Stella Artois, Cucumber Mojito,

Jack Coke, and Blue Moon that night. The cost of beer ranges from 120-440php per mug/bottle, cocktails from 140-240php per glass. They have the usual hard stuff like vodka, tequila, and gin, but what’s notable is that they have Japanese Whisky. Pero next time na ‘yan. :p

The Comedy Manila show was hosted by GB Labrador (also had a set… di ko akalaing komedyante rin pala siya. Magaling, magaling!), and the performers were Micah Andres, Nonong Ballilan, and Alex Calleja.

Sumakit toyan naming sa busog at sa kakatawa. You should experience it too! watch out for Comedy Manila in B&B. I heard they will be taking the stage every Thursday of this month. :)

Burgers and Brewskies
Ground Floor, Estancia Mall,
Capitol Commons, Oranbo, Pasig City
02 5315632

// listening to some shitty song from the Fifty Shades of Grey OST

Hapag Restaurant and Events Place – Malolos, Bulacan

After our pilgrimage to Barasoain Church and visit to Barasoain Museum, we went to one of the most recommended restos in Malolos.

Hapag Restaurant and Events Place is situated behind the Provincial Hall. They serve Filipino and International dishes.

We were there around 6pm so the place wasn’t packed yet. The guests started to come in by 7pm. Miko and I were joined by my cousin, Kuya Edmund who’s now living there.

Their molo soup was served piping hot. The dumplings looked homemade and were very meaty and yummy. The soup was unusual for molo because instead of it being clear, it’s thick and nido soup-like. We loved it!

The Calumpit Rice is garlic fried rice with egg, veggies, and Calumpit longganisa. Delicious rice and ulam in one dish!

Then there’s the sinful Prawns and Crab in Sweet Spicy Sauce. Sarsa pa lang, panalo na.

The seafood they used had so much aligue. Fitting for our cheat meal.

The Pinakbet with Crispy Pork was loaded with shrimps, too. The veggies they used were sweet. Halatang freshly picked. The pork, parang lechon kawali sa pagka-crispy!

Their Baby Back Ribs was good too. Not sure about the rub they used. It’s definitely not my favorite spice, but it worked well on the ribs because it wasn’t too strong and they mixed it with brown sugar or honey. The only thing I didn’t like about this was the gravy. It was bland.

The Banofee Cake, despite of the not-well formed crust was delightfully sweet. Ang dami pang whipped cream. Yummmm.

The best part of eating at Hapag was the great dishes. The second best part was that it only cost around 1,200php!

We hope to eat here again the next time we are in Malolos!

Hapag Restaurant and Events Place
Beside Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center,
Provincial Capitol Compound, Guinhawa,
Malolos City, Bulacan
0923 7027612, 0906 2419181, 0923 7372589

// listening to Mean Girls – Jingle Bell Rock

The Baker’s Table – Maginhawa Street

I love Flat Tops. It’s my favorite local chocolate. My friend brought me Flat Tops Cake one day and it was pure heaven. I just had to visit the shop that makes it.

And ta-da! Hello, The Baker’s Table!

Miko and I skipped dessert at Provenciano to have some cakes in this tiny dessert place. Most of The Baker’s Table cakes and pastries are made with chocolates and candies from our childhood. I’m talking about us 80’s babies/90’s kids.

Who wouldn’t want to relive their childhood in a yummy way, right? :D It’s along Maginhawa Street, almost across the compound where there’s some foodtrucks.

Much as I loved the Flat Tops Cake, there’s another cake brought by my friend that I love more. And that’s the Butterball Caramel Cake. Cakes are btw around P110 per slice.

Because I was with Miko (Mikmik is one of his nicknames), we got a slice of MikMik Mousse too, so I can judge which is sweeter- the cake or the person. :p

Cake wins! Hahaha! Pero mas yummy daw siya. :p Seriously… the MikMIk Mouse was just okay. The texture of the cake wasn’t as soft and moist as I expected. The cream was nicely sweet though. Flat Tops cake pa rin. :p

The Baker’s Table
88-B Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village,
Quezon City
02 2469072, 02 2469458

// listening to The Flash – S02E03