Frannywanny

From the moment that I got engaged, I simply thought that Paul and I will be able to have more time to spend dating, going out on regular movie nights, enjoying a weekly massage and a lot more. In other words, I never thought that after being married for two years, our schedules would turn from hectic to crazy to crazier! Every weekend, we have deliveries to attend to, a growing business to take care of and a number of functions and parties to attend. That's how our two day weekend run and we don't even have a baby to worry about yet! Our weekends are normally filled to the brim that we truly cherish rare lazy weekends with not a single thing to do. This is the reason why both Paul and I love having impromptu dinner dates that allow us to unwind and to just enjoy a really good meal. A few months ago, we got an invite to we spend a quiet night at Dusit Thani Manila 's Italian restaurant -- Tosca . We've dined at Tosca before, first, for an event for work and second, a...

Exactly 5 years ago , I opened this blog to chronicle my never-ending food trips with Paul. It was no secret how much we love trying new restaurants and we rejoice with glee whenever we hit a gold mine. People would ask me why do I blog and my answer is simple : I love to eat and I love to write..'nuff said.  Related posts: 1st Blog Anniversary 2nd  Blog Anniversary 3rd Blog Anniversary 4th Blog Anniversary Contrary to what others may think, I don't blog for a living. I have a full time career that I love just as much as blogging and everyday I thank Him for it. I blog because I am truly, madly and totally deeply in love with what I do. True Love , you may it. I am passionate about sharing my food discoveries with my readers and I aim to do this for as long as I can. Today, I celebrate my 5th Blog Anniversary . It has been a fun ride since Day 1 as I enjoy hearing from you, my readers. Now, let the fun begin ! Thanks to my very generous sponsors, I am opening...

Singapore always holds a soft spot in my heart. I loved it ever since I visited this very organized and beautiful country when I was 10 up until present . Luckily, Paul shares the same fascination towards Singapore that it came pretty naturally that we decided to spend a week in Singapore for our Honeymoon two years ago . Everything is always just in proper order and of course, Singapore is truly a foodie's mecca ! A trip to Singapore is not complete without enjoying the many hawker centers scattered around the country. Nothing beats the real thing as you enjoy a plate of Hainanese Chicken Rice , Lamb Briyani and a lot more! I love Singaporean food and the simplicity of it. This is the reason why I happily headed to Dusit Thani Manila's Basix All-Day Dining Restaurant for lunch yesterday. To celebrate Singapore's National Day , they are having a 10-day long buffet special highlighting a number of Singaporean favorites. Spearheading this special promotion is Execu...

On June 17, 2012 -- the world celebrates Father's Day . Similar to Mother's Day, my family also makes it a point to go out on this day dedicated to my dad, kongkong and uncles. I've received a number of text messages and emails from friends asking for recommendations on where they can take their dads and husbands out on this special day. Here are some of my recommendations, majority of which are my Dad and Paul's personal favorites too: For Dads who take his MEAT seriously.... 1) Elbert's Steak Room   For me, Elbert's is truly the king of all steak places. Whenever someone would ask me where to have the best steak, I'd always say Elbert's in a heartbeat. I'll never forget the night when Paul and I shared a huge Ribeye steak complete with all the sidings, the delicious Fantan bread and desserts to cap our delicious meal off. Elbert's Steak Room is located at the 3/F Sagittarius Building III, 111 H. V. de la Costa Street, Salcedo Village...

Through this blog, I was able to chronicle how we have been celebrating our Valentine's Day for the past 4 years. First, there was that delicious pasta dinner at Pizzeria Toscana in 2008 and then we went Filipino over at Bagoong Club last 2009. While in 2010, we satisfied our craving of ribs at Tony Roma's . Despite how we would seem to just do the same thing every year, which is to dine out, I always look forward to this red-letter day as I know each Valentine's date is always special with Paul. All the more, I was really excited this year as it will be our first Valentine's Day as a married couple. Before going to bed last Friday, Paul decided that we're having our Valentine's lunch date the next day at Umu in Dusit Thani Manila . Even how much I'd still like to sleep till noon, the thought of enjoying platters of sushi and teppanyaki dishes made me really excited. At 11PM last Friday, my tummy was growling loudly, perhaps it's its way of ...

Ever since our stay last December 2009, I've grown very fond of Dusit Thani Manila due to its beautiful grand lobby, accessibility to two major shopping malls (Ayala Center and SM) , beautiful guest rooms and most of all, the food as dining at any of its restaurants has always been a delightful experience . I was back at the hotel again as I was invited to join a special Japanese dinner at Umu . I immediately confirmed my attendance and made sure I won't be late for my dinner date. At the start of the program, the head chef performed the Kagami-biraki which is the traditional way usually done in celebratory events where the chef used a wooden mallet to signal the start of the party and all guests will be served with a cup of sake. As we await our first dish, we were given a glass of cold Zipang (Sparkling Sake) which was very smooth and light. Sake is to Japan as wine is to France. This can normally be seen in dinner tables as Japanese would have this while enjoying t...

It's that time of the year again when the moon is at its fullest, Chinese families will give each other boxes of mooncake and relatives and friends gather around the table throwing 6 pieces of dice into a glass bowl to test their luck. Last September 22, it was the 15th day of August in the Lunar Calendar and for all Chinese families in the world, this marks the Mid-Autumn Festival . Next to our birthdays and Christmas, we all look forward to this particular festival as our family gets ready for the annual Mooncake Dice Game. This year, it was I, my sister and Paul's turn to host the much-awaited event. Sharing our luck for winning an overnight stay at Dusit Thani's Presidential Suite , Paul and I invited both families (his and mine) to have dinner and to play the game in the suite. This got everyone excited as we normally would just have it at home. A room meant for Royalty Just a couple of months ago, I swooned and raved about our stay at the Swissotel Stamford ...

Where will you be spending your Easter Sunday ? Kids will surely have a blast at Dusit Thani Manla 's Easter Under the Sea Adventure. There will be a bubble show, face painting, parlor games and of course the traditional Easter egg hunt! Win prizes including tickets to the Broadway show Cats! Meanwhile, adults may also take part of the Easter Sunday Family Crossover Brunch where diners may hop from any of Dusit Thani Manila's four restaurants and enjoy an array of Thai, Japanese, Italian and International dishes! Happy Easter! :)

It was around last November when I received an email from my colleague B. It was an announcement ad for an exciting blog contest by Dusit Thani Manila . What was at stake was an overnight stay at their Presidential Suite plus a couple of GCs from their restaurants, spa and gym! It was definitely worth a try :) Keeping my eyes on the prize I'm a pretty determined person especially when I have my heart and mind on it. I wanted to win the grand prize so badly...not the second or the third prize. I am aiming for the Grand Prize and I'm praying and working hard for it. For extra luck, Paul even took my photo posing in front of the Presidential Suite during our stay last December. After that amazing overnight stay at Dusit Thani Manila , I wrote two entries that I felt best describe that wonderful experience. I'm sharing it with everyone once again: Dusit Thani Manila : Feels like Heaven on Earth Sunday Family Crossover Buffet : A Feast for the Senses Not so long ago, I got a ca...

As they say... the way to a man / woman's heart is through his/her stomach it's a good thing that Spot.ph came out with this amazing listing of all the Valentine's Day promotions around the Metro :) This will be a running list where I will be adding more entries as we get closer to the V-Day! Romantic Date Places 22 Prime at the Discovery Suites Indulge with 22 Prime’s dinner buffet and Prime rib carving station on February 13, Saturday and February 14, Sunday at P1,400+ per person . Adarna Food and Culture Adarna is giving a 20% discount on all bottles of wine for the whole month of February. A tertulia , ‘PS. Mahal Kita ,” and a love letter reading contest will be held on February 13, Saturday at 7 p.m., wherein guests will be providing the entertainment. Guests are requested to come in Filipiniana attire and are encouraged to share their talents during the program. Songs, dances, poems or the playing of musical instruments are welcome Aubergine Duck Foie gras praline...

Here's one cool gift that I have received last Christmas... Thanks to the folks over at Spot.ph , I squealed in delight upon seeing this lovely red tin can that I know holds the key to almost a hundred discounts and freebies in various restaurants not only here in Metro Manila but in Cebu and Boracay as well. This is Enjoy Philippines this has been highly recommended by fellow blogger Anton who will even offer a 5% discount in any Ultimate Philippines tour of your choice. It has been barely a month since I got this gift and I've already made use of both the card and the coupon booklet a number of times. First was when I met up with my dear friend Sab for lunch and coffee at UCC , followed by a quick lunch at Pho Hoa, then there was that dinner at Super Bowl of China and countless others that I've happily visited and availed of their discount and freebies! One tin can contains the membership card, two coupon booklets (one for Metro Manila, another for the provincial outle...

December 27, 2009 (Makati City, Philippines) -- Seriously taking our plan, which is to relax the entire weekend , seriously; we woke up just in time for brunch today. After hearing raves from colleagues and friends who frequently visit Dusit Thani Manila on a Sunday, we were so excited to try out their Sunday Family Crossover Buffet ourselves. Following the brief instructions of the front desk officer, we visited the four participating restaurants to choose and reserve our table. After visiting Basix , Umu , Benjarong and Tosca , we both agreed to stay at the latter simply because of its cozy ambiance complete with a pianist happily playing Christmas tunes. Contrary to other buffets and restaurants in town, here you have to pay first. After leading you to your table, the server will hand you the bill. The charge per head is very reasonable. Pay only P1450 net for adults, P725 for children between 6-12 years old while tiny tots below 5 years old can dine for FREE! After settl...