Frannywanny

We have this habit of making the most out of our staycation so instead of dining out while having our staycation at a hotel, we normally try to check out the restaurants inside the hotel. This is staycation tip #1 when travelling with toddlers. We just wanted to do away from any logistical nightmare of having to travel far, waiting in line and ending up with two restless and super hangry kids. The best way is to make a reservation at any of the hotel's food establishments and you can just go down just in time for your meal. Our recent stay at Somerset Millennium Makati  was no different. We had our dinner at Abuela's  the only restaurant establishment available in the hotel but while it may be the only in-house dining option, we had no idea that we were in for a delightful FEAST!  Come to think of it, there's a bar available in the hotel but for families like us, you will most likely focus more on Abuela's . Don't be fooled by the name. I initially thought it was...

It's a great great week, dear readers! No particular reason why but I just made the decision to start the week in a positive note. Given that, I thought of sharing with you one of my happiest discoveries during my recent visit back to Manila. Welcome to Hole in the Wall . Located at the top level of Century City Mall in Makati. I never imagined for such a cool mall to open in this spot as it used to be a mainly residential/office area. At some point, we felt like tourists in our own country as we ooh'ed and ahh'ed as we walked our way to the top of the mall. It's so pretty and I love love love it! For this particular visit, my family went there to have lunch. I've been hearing a great deal about Hole in the Wall from my foodie circle and I knew that I just have to check it out while I'm there. The top level has an al-fresco set-up where you can also find CaliBurger, 12 Monkeys and Andale by Agave. My dad, in particular, was amazed as he slowly checke...

I know that the tonkatsu craze has been present in Manila for a good 2 years already yet it seems like this is one craze that will stay on for a little while longer. Why do I say so? Well, it takes no genius to see the long lines that happens on a daily basis and the continuous entrance of foreign tonkatsu players ready to give the local market more options and perhaps to go up against the tonkatsu giant in the Philippines. Saboten is one of those that recently expanded to the Philippines not so long ago. The first time I tried Saboten was in Seoul, Korea but sadly my experience there was quite blah so I didn't even bother blogging about it. Then, I've been seeing Saboten in Hong Kong and here in Singapore but it has never been a priority for me to try it thinking that I might get the same ho-hum dining experience. However, during one recent trip back to Manila, Paul and I found ourselves in Saboten in the (relatively) new Glorietta 5 with my bestest friends T1, T2...

Want to hear a secret?  Recently, Paul and I stumbled upon a pretty and very dainty-looking restaurant hidden in one of Makati's residential areas called Maria Luisa's Garden Room . It's located inside the Makati Garden Club, which I have to admit I never knew existed. Well, I was never a resident of Makati so hope you'll forgive my ignorance. Anyway, it was Christmas Eve and we went out for lunch with my in laws to have a triple birthday celebration for Ahia Jordan, Achi Marie and our cute nephew Jairus. The restaurant was listed as one of OAP's 10 Most Awesome Restaurants in Manila and after getting raves from a cousin-in-law, we agreed to give it a try.  We were given a long table inside the second dining area of the restaurant overlooking the garden. I love the pretty decors, the very feminine interiors and the well-manicured garden. I wouldn't be surprise if Martha Stewart would just show up at the door....or I'd just be too shock if she r...

Months ago, Paul and I went out on a double date with Joan and Abet , one of the few couples whom we love hanging out with. For those who know them, you'll probably agree with me that they're really a nice couple with a pure heart. No pretenses, no intrigues and definitely someone whom you can depend on. They're such joy to be with too and that's why Paul and I look forward to any chance we get to spend time with them. I remember running a low grade fever that day yet I insisted that we push thru with our double date. It was also perfect that both Abet and I got an invite to re-visit Sentro 1771 in Greenbelt . This restaurant is not new to both Paul and I as we have dined here quite a number of times before . We always have our staple dishes such as the Rated GG , the Fried Kesong Puti and their famous Corned Beef Sinigang to name a few. This time though, the invite came just in time for their 10th year anniversary . It's amazing to see restaurants celebrati...

The word solace according to the English dictionary means "to give comfort to in grief or misfortune." In other words, solace can also be seen as that ever-famous "light at the end of the tunnel." It gives one that glimmer of hope that there will be better days ahead. I mentioned in a few entries back that I've been experiencing gloomy days lately due to my hectic routine. Feeling more exhausted than revitalized nowadays, all I want to do is to stay in bed all day and to do nothing... absolutely nothing. I know that plan would probably come after the holidays. Therefore, I am currently finding other ways to get that short moments of relaxation and one of those include going out on dinner dates with Paul. Last Monday, we visited a new restaurant that has just opened along Arnaiz street in Makati. It was my Mom who told me about it and we arrived excited to have a good meal and to unwind. I got to admit, it took me a while to remember the name but after chatti...

When I predicted that 2012 will be a busy year, I wasn't expecting for it to be THIS busy. I've been buzzing around like a busy bee ever since I returned back to work on the 2nd day of the year. Meetings conducted one after the other, reports growing by the number and a lot more! Don't get me wrong, I entered the year with an optimistic heart and I'm just so happy doing what I'm doing right now. In other words -- I. Love. My. Job. Still, after a hectic work week, what makes my heart flutter is the thought that the weekend is here! This is the only time when I can stay in bed longer, catch up on my favorite TV shows and go out and eat, eat, eat to my hearts content! Aside from Chinese and Japanese cuisines, I love Filipino food. How can I ever say no to that mouthwatering Lechon or that heart-stopping, oil-dripping Garlic Pork Adobo that goes perfectly well with steamed white rice? Oh the thought of it always puts a smile on my face. There are a lot of Filipi...

Okay, I promised myself I will consciously try to start eating healthy. This was after having had two amazingly good lechon dinners and hundreds of meals that include me indulging in something oily, sweet, buttery and basically...deadly. For fear of clogging up my arteries and cutting my life shorter than it should be, I have started to have a bowl of oatmeal again for breakfast and to choose my meals wisely for the coming days...months...years.. .so help me God . Kidding aside, I know once in a while I'll still allow myself to bite into that fluffy piece of caramel cake or grab a bag of chicharon when the craving hits but this time, I'll try to be wiser. I started my healthy campaign last Saturday as I had lunch with fellow bloggers and friends Jin and Leslie . This time, Paul was able to join us and I gladly introduced him to two of my favorite food bloggers. Since Leslie was under strict Cohen diet and is quickly turning into a va-va-voom sexy lady ( hehehe! ), w...

Ay Chihuahua !  When I think of Mexican food , I think of crunchy taco, delicious burrito and huge glasses of margarita. In my mind, I paint a fun colorful picture of people eating, drinking and dancing. This was exactly the vibe that I got the moment I set foot inside Chihuahua , a new Mexican restaurant along busy Makati avenue. I was warmly greeted by owners Ines Cabarrus , Elian Habayeb and my dear friend Spanky who have arranged this fun get-together with fellow bloggers. We walked up towards the counter and the first thing I've noticed was that one wall was filled with bottles of hot sauce. These are all from the collection of the owners! I love staring at the colorful bottles, some even have a funny name.  I wonder how my collections of Donald Duck and Hello Kitty items as well as my Starbucks City Mugs would look like if I display them up as well? :P Truly a gracious host, Ines offered some drinks the moment we arrived -- I got a cup of Kool-Aid while Paul go...

Va Bene when translated in Italian means "ok", "alright", or "just right". Given the very positive sounding name, Paul and I drove all the way to Makati to meet up with our friends L and T in this little pasta deli within the same compound of the Petron Gas Station . Their big day is fast approaching and we can feel the excitement (more of it coming from us) and the tension (more from them) . However, knowing how organized my friend L is I'm sure everything will go as planned and I can't wait to witness their special day. It's amazing, we began double-dating just around the same time T was courting L and Paul was courting yours truly. Later on, we became a couple two years before they did (obviously, my friend L was really hard to get! haha) and imagine our excitement when L told me that they're engaged just a few months after Paul and I tied the knot! We really are soul sisters as we seem to be celebrating the same milestones in life ...

After enjoying a couple of Thai specialties at Nav with my colleagues last Friday, Paul and I joined our dear friends Richard, Irene and adorable Lauren for lunch one rainy Sunday. This time we headed to Makati excited for our Vietnamese feast. Shameless plugging alert: I've been craving for Asian dishes lately, I guess this is after going through the August issue of Yummy Magazine that features a LOT of yummy Asian recipes *drool* . So..grab your copy NOW! A couple of months ago, Richard and I purchased a coupon each from Metro Deal Philippines . This coupon will allow us to have a four-course Vietnamese meal for two for only Php. 445 at Ba Noi's . What a steal! Since it will be our first time to try Ba Noi's we figured out that given how reasonable the price of the coupon is, it won't be too painful on the pocket should our meal fails to meet our expectations. Let me share with you the dishes that were served to us by Ba Noi's : From the moment we sa...

It has been almost 10 months since Krazy Garlik opened its doors to the public. Since then, it has teased the palates of hundreds of garlic lovers in this side of town. Who would have thought that they can add garlic in practically any dish ... yes, even in sweet desserts. My first visit was pretty memorable. I enjoyed the Hara-Kiri , the Snowflakes Pizza and the Garlicky Crispy Pata . Most of all, I will never forget the special Crema Catalana that had candied garlic cloves on top. It was THE BEST. Due to its location, I rarely get to visit Krazy Garlik even if it has been on my list to dine in again. I'm glad that I had that chance to go back with fellow bloggers one weeknight and Paul was also able to join me on my return. Hooray! I love the happy, crazy vibe of Krazy Garlik . As you enter the restaurant, you'll see a bright colorful mural of Alice in GARLICland . Walk towards the washroom and let the characters of the story direct you to the right cubicle. We...

Group buying coupons is really one of the IN thing right now as more and more sites would offer price-off deals on food, travel, beauty and a lot more. I've mentioned before how I would follow certain group buying sites as I enjoy availing of their packages majority on food. It really gives me more reason to try new restaurants without being afraid that it will cause a dent on my bank account. Such was the case last night where we were invited to try a delicious 5-course degustation menu at Robot Restaurant . Degustation is a french term for a way of examining a dish by taking in tasting portions / smaller amounts to test its quality. Despite its small size, these dishes are normally bursting with flavor therefore delighting all senses. Thus, I arrived at Robot ready to be served with really small portions for this particular dinner. We met the very friendly group behind the newest group buying site: Deal Dozen . Browsing their site, it reminds me of my current favorite group...