Sunday, February 27, 2011 5
I don’t usually go out for lunch if there is no special occasions to celebrate like pay day or birthday of my friends, but last Friday some of my officemates invites us for lunch. I asked them if they have any restaurant on list so that we know how much money will spend for lunch. Haha. Roni send me a link and asking me if the rates are okay with us, upon looking at the site I immediately convinced Queency and AME about our lunch out because I was excited to try the newly open restaurant especially their best seller. 

We walked along Palanca St. in Legazpi Village which is walking distance from our office and finally reach The Plantation Bar and Bistro. This is the newest restaurant – bar which I think opens last January 29. The place is so small, they can only accommodate 20 persons but the ambiance is vivid and comfy. The staffs are not so attentive maybe because they are still on soft opening and still on training process. The fresh interiors attract us more since they put different kinds of wine as a part of the design on the bar. 



I asked the waiter if all servings are good for 2 persons, then he suggest us to try the Chicken Parmicciana, bacon wrapped fillet of Chicken, Mashed Potato topped with Marinara Sauce, Baked Cheese, and Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables. The staff suggested that we could change mashed potato to rice. Jen and I opted to share this main course because according to them, this is already good for 2 persons, so we had to order 1 extra rice for me. 

Chicken Parmicciana Php 185.00

The servings was huge, we had a right decision to share 1 meal. The food is very tasty, chicken fillet was tender and juicy, I love the combination of Marinara Sauce and Baked Cheese, it collides the sweetness and tangy flavor in one.  

One thing I don’t want with them is that the serving of food. It took us 20 minutes for them to serve our orders. But in fairness, you can’t go wrong with the food they offer as well as the price completed with a nice and relaxing ambiance.

Me, Jen and Queency
Group Picture

Ehem.. No Comment.. ♥♥♥

The Plantation Bar and Bistro
G/F SCC Building
106 Carlos Palanca Street
Makati City
Tel. No. + 632 501-5727
Open from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. (Monday - Saturday)
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011 5
I know most couples are waiting for February to come since its “Love month”. Ever since Ian turn out to be my official boyfriend we make sure to celebrate heart’s day together either simple but romantic dinner or out of town. Last year we celebrated Valentine’s Day with friends at Hot Air Balloon and Anawangin Trip but since the heart’s day falls on weekdays we chose to celebrate it with a simple, romantic and idealistic dinner.

Before this special day comes, I didn’t know what his plan are but Ian searched for the best restaurant that are not crowded, offers cozy and friendly ambiance and of course within Makati area only. We know that most people will visit Greenbelt or Glorietta that time and we don’t want to wait for a call for us to be seated due to long queue of people. Ian has 3 choices but unfortunately, we are down to two and finally settled at Commons after we haven’t seen the exact location of Coquina Restaurant. 

Commons is located in front of Citibank Tower, sort of clandestine location.  I know this restaurant ever since because my former boss always make reservation in this place during his meeting with clients. By the way, I had our advance booking during lunch time as I know we need to do it for us to be seated on a nice part of restaurant. Upon arrival at the place, a courteous waitress approaches us and asks if we have reservation with them and as I told my name they assist us in our seats. The place is a small modern elegant and cosmopolitan restaurant with mini bar which owned by Filipino Businessman. Equipped with light and right lightning that comes in surprisingly cozy chairs, for me this is one of the best romantic dining with classy interiors around the place.



Mini Bar
During that time, they prepared a live band that serenades you while having your romantic dinner.

You can’ go wrong ordering the meals they offer. They have excellent selections of Filipino meals from appetizer to desserts. One staff offers us their Valentine’s package worth Php 1,500.00 good for 2 persons but we decided to choose our food on our own.  Ian is craving for prawns unfortunately out of stock. So he replace his order from grilled prawns to Sinigang na Hipon (Sour Shrimp Soup), one of his favorite dish and very famous meal in the Philippines. I love the deliciously and tempting sour taste of Sinigang na hipon, topped with fresh vegetables and herbs. I don’t spot fresh Tamarind which is the main and traditional ingredient in Sinigang but I guess they use several brands of tamarind mixes that can buy easily in supermarket.

Sinigang na Hipon Php 375.00

Well, overall, their version of Sinigang na Hipon is extremely delicious and has a very satisfying flavor you can never resist with it. Ian also adds Deep Fried Spareribs for our main course, I love the tenderness, crispiness and juiciness of the meat but the flavor was too salty.

Deep Fried Spareribs Php 320.00
We are both hungry that time so we opted to order for Yang Chow Fried Rice which is actually good for 3-4 persons. Haha. Whenever we visit Chinese restaurant, we make sure to order Yang Chow Fried Rice but this time we were surprise with the savor included in the rice, I suppose they put some curry mixes since you can really taste it. Even without main dish, you can still eat their own version of Yang Chow Fried Rice.

Yang Chow Fried Rice Php 245.00
Even though we didn’t avail their promo package, a nice and very charming waiter gave us 2 glasses of red wine. Whoa! How romantic right, Ian and I do the toss in celebration of heart’s day. Weehh..


Be prepared to spend at least Php 1,000.00 good for two persons, depending on what you order. This is perfect for anniversary dinner or if you just want to impress someone or if you are just looking for a quiet but romantic place where you and you partner can relax. The service crews are awfully friendly since we get our service with a big smile and very attentive in our request.  

Our Valentine celebration was simple yet romantic, not only because of his surprise and my surprise on Valentine's day but also we had a scrumptious dinner at Commons.

Thank you honey for everything, you are the man, my love of my life, my everything.. Thank you for taking care of me always, for your unconditional love, for your love promise, for always telling me how much you love me, for doing everything just to make me smile, for the feeling of serenity for having you in my life and make me feel that I’m so special and luckiest girl in the world. I love you honey!  


Commons Resto and Bar
Manhantan Square Condominum
162 Valero St., Salcedo Village 
Makati City

Monday, February 21, 2011 4

“Passion Food” 

Last Valentine’s Day, my officemates planned to celebrates heart’s day by having lunch at Greenbelt. We are all attracted by the streamer of Piadina Italian Restaurant in Greenbelt 1; they offer Piatto Unico which deals with Full Italian Meal in one plate. 


Well, if you really love Italian food with minimal budget and great service, Piadina Italian is the best! This was my first time to try this restaurant and I promise myself to taste some of their specialties. By the way, their branch in Greenbelt 1 was an open area and they don’t have comfy couches, but if you want more attractive place you better try their branch at Glorietta 4. 


All of us order for Pollo al Forino con Pasta, these sets includes Chicken Leg or Thigh served with pasta of the day and 2 pcs Italian Empanada with a glass of iced tea. The pasta of the day is Bolognese Penne; unfortunately the staff told us that penne noodles are not available instead they only have the most common round-rod pasta.
 
The pasta was appetizing and well-cooked. I love the combination of Parmesan cheese and basils which balances the taste of the tomato sauce. The chicken was juicy and fresh; definitely make this yummier because of chili oil they offer.  The empanada is thin smooth bread with Parmesan cheese inside topped with light tomato paste. 

Pollo al Forino con Pasta Php 149.00


Chili Oil and Parmesan Cheese

Since AME got her first salary as contractual in Friendster, she promised us to treat for dessert. She offered to try Tiramisu, a coffee flavored dessert crowned with crashed graham. We were full but still we settled to try their version of Tiramisu.

Tiramisu Php 100.00
 We were filled after eating as the servings are enough. I highly recommend their pasta and empanada!


Piadina Italian
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 1
Makati City
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Friday, February 18, 2011 12
I’m not fascinated in meeting-up strangers who I never seen before. But if somebody you met online invited you to join up with them and have food trip, would you go? Definitely, I did! To be honest, When Smarla, asked me to a bloggers meet up, I think twice. This would be my 2nd time to meet people, whom I don’t really know; 1st of course when Ian and I met last 2006 at Mc Do Pasong Tamo.

I’ve never met Smarla or even other bloggers who included in FB messages, I only recognize Smarla since I read her blog every day. She suggests having our meet-up during lunch time, while I propose them to make it at Makati Area since I’m not familiar with other places. So last February 13, a day before heart’s day I finally met Smarla and Dahlia. Sad to say, Trixie and Dash won’t be able to make it due to important errands.
Dahlia arrived first. Our plan is to have our lunch at Mesa but unfortunately, there are lots of people having their lunch so we wait for Smarla to arrive before deciding where we are going to eat. When Smarla arrived, we chose to walk along Greenbelt 3 and search for the best restaurant that we can talk and relax at the same time. We finally settled at Capricciosa. I’ve already tried this restaurant and I can say that the foods are really worth paying for. The place has a very calming, modern and pacifying ambiance which adds and effect to enjoy our food more. While waiting for our food, we shared lots of things and at the same getting-to know each other stage.
Dahlia, Smarla and I examined the menu very well, although I have an idea about this resto I make it a point that what we order should be scrumptious. Dahlia ordered for Seafood Spaghetti, it’s a combination of fresh seafood like squid, mussels, clams, stripped shrimp and tuna in a special tomato sauce served with sauteed garlic bread. 
Seafood Spaghetti Php 365.00
We also added Capricciosa Pizza, which is according to them this is one of their specialties. A Southern Italian Napoleon style pizza topped with salami, mushroom, bacon and bell peppers. I love the crust since it was so thin and crunchy. Hot sauce complemented the tasty pizza.
Capricciosa Pizza Php 485.00
I took advantage of having Ayala card since most of the restaurants in Ayala Malls give discounts or freebies. For this restaurant, they given us free Rice Croquette since we reached the amount required worth Php 700.00. Rice croquette is actually an appetizer but for us, it’s our dessert. Haha. It’s like a huge meatball sprinkled with a meaty spaghetti sauce, and because we are curious what inside we decided to slice it in half. Inside this so called “Rice Croquette” reveals steaming hot plain rice with Mozzarella cheese hidden inside. I love the mushiness of the rice mopped with meat sauce and Mozzarella cheese makes my lunch complete!    

Rice Croquette
If you’re planning to visit Capricciosa, please take note that the prices were quite expensive for an Italian Restaurant. But overall, we were satisfied with the food and went out happy.
Smarla (Everyday Sweet Notes) and Dahlia (Energetic Chef)

Dahlia (Energetic Chef) and Me (My Little World)


Capricciosa
3rd Level, Greenbelt 3
Ayala Center, Makati City
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Thursday, February 17, 2011 4
Ian and I celebrates Valentine’s not only on 14thday of February but also during Saturday before and after the said event. We planned to watch the opening of pyromusical competition at San Miguel by the Bay last Saturday after we had our own activities; I went to the hospital for my check-up while he accompanied her mom at Eye Center. We agreed to meet at MOA around 5:30pm and bought gold tickets for the event. It was my third time to witness this event and I can say that every year the participants really prepared for this event. 

With us are the following stuffs to have good shots of fireworks:

1.            Canon 60D and Canon 450D
2.            Fully charged battery
3.            Remote Control
4.            Tripod
5.            Flash (if necessary)

The show starts around 8pm which should start by 7pm (well, Filipino time). South Korea performed first; I love the exploding fireworks as they let go of their superb colors up in the sky. On the middle of their performance, the skies come alive and glowing; an award winning fireworks should I say. They have a heart shape fireworks where everyone was amazed.















The performance lingers for about 20 minutes. Then the 2nd show was started by 9pm courtesy of Spain. The intro was more dramatic than South Korea. The fireworks are more colorful, extravagant and synchronized with the music. This is my favorite show that night, if South Korea has a heart-shape fireworks, Spain has a spiral-shape rockets. Another thing that I love with Spain’s pyro musical is that on the end part of the show, they blast everything, meaning more harmonized fireworks, bigger blazes and fabulous colors that everyone yells, screamed and even clapped because of their amazing presentation. Whoa! 









Spiral Effect



I know it was not easy to take photos without tripod that’s why I’m so happy when I saw these photos taken by Ian. Amazing! I think he used Manual mode to control the lightning and speed of the lights to get the wanted fireworks effects. 

Watching magical stunning fireworks with your love one is one of the most romantic date ever. Pyromusical Competition is indeed the greatest show on Earth. (Well, I’m trying to exaggerate what I saw last Saturday!) Haha. We wouldn't want to miss at least a single Saturday of this event, especially the last Saturday (March 12) where our host country will perform with Australia.

For more details, feel free to visit their site.
2nd Philippine International Pyromusical Competition
Every Saturday from February 12 - March 12, 2011
San Miguel by the Bay

Ticket Prices:
Patron with Dinner -  Php 1,500.00
VIP - Php 500.00
Gold - Php 200.00
Silver - Php 100.00
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