Universal Noodle, Hong Kong

For our first brunch in the city, Universal Noodle or Butao Ramen was on top of our list! Thousands have commented that this is the best Japanese ramen place in Hong Kong. I definitely had to try this restaurant for sure. Upon reaching Universal Noodles at 12 noon, there was a 30 minutes queue. That was fine by me because I was able to amuse myself by taking lots of pictures of myself and the place as well. I also went to the nearby 7-11 store and got myself my favorite iced tea drink VLT!

Tim Ho Wan, Hong Kong

Our first meal in Hong Kong was Tim Ho Wan. I have heard this restaurant from the mouths of famous foodies and yet I have never tried before. So on this trip, I made sure and planned it will be on top of my Hong Kong food trip agenda! We got there around 9 in the evening. The waitstaff said it was last call upon sitting down. I panicked and ordered all the things I fancy on the menu place mat.

Hong Kong Shopping Haul

I'm back! I was out of the country for about a week so that's why I was not able to update this blog for a long time. SO SORRY :D!!! Anyhoo, I will be making a quick photo blog of some of the things I got during my short Hong Kong trip! Since it is winter season now, all the stuff they are selling in stores are thick jumpers, coats, scarfs and other winter apparels. These are some of the things I got.

Destination: ASIA'S WORLD CITY HONG KONG ( Day 3 & 4 )

For our 3rd day, we started it by having brunch at Miso Cool located at K11. It's a modern Japanese fusion restaurant and what actually forced us to try it was the cool interior.

Destination: ASIA'S WORLD CITY HONG KONG ( Day 1 & 2 )

Last November 16 to 19, my sister and I went on a mini vacation trip to Hong Kong. We were bored and wanted to eat good Hong Kong dim sum lol ( I kid ). Anyhoo here's my photo diary of what we did on this trip.

A Lovely Thing For The Day: Things I'm Grateful

Another year of my life has passed and I, with both arms, fully embraced the new one coming. I can say that even though I had a lot of uncertainties, bumps and changes, my last age was still pretty awesome! Here are the few things I'm grateful for.

WINNER OF THE SPA WELLNESS CONTEST

Ladies and gentlemen, after a day of reading and rereading comments left by contestants, we have finally chosen one winner. I want to give all the contestants the free The Spa Wellnesss spa treatment because everyone truly deserves it! Sadly I can only pick one... :(

Without further ado, the winner is.....

The Sandwich Guy at One E-com Center in Mall of Asia

I visit The Sandwich Guy at least once a week. I usually drop by whenever I take yoga classes alone. The Sandwich Guy makes delicious, fresh and cheap sandwiches in less than 5 minutes. I love it!

Cafe Mary Grace in Robinsons Place Manila

One boring Saturday night, Faui called and invited me out for dinner! Whoopie! Since the nearest mall to both our places is Robinsons Place Manila, we decided to meet up and have our meal there. I told her to just pick any restaurant as I wasn't craving anything that night. She chose Cafe Mary Grace. I have never eaten anything heavy at Cafe Mary Grace as I usually just have hot chocolate and cheesy bread whenever I visit the place. Let's see if the food is any good!

Cafe by the Ruins, Baguio City

For our second day's lunch, we went to on old favorite of ours. My dad loves this place! He always request we have a meal here whenever we take our mini vacations at Baguio Country Club. His favorite is the Kamote Bread with Guava Jam. He would literally eat one whole loaf by himself!

Verandah at Baguio Country Club

We had dinner at the Verandah for the next 2 nights we stayed at Baguio Country Club. We had no choice but to eat here because we had a lot of consumables to finish. Anyway, the food was alright because they served Japanese food from Hamada Restaurant. Hamada Restaurant is the Japanese teppanyaki-style restaurant located at the back part of BCC. We used to see the president P-Noy here a lot of times before.

Baguio Country Club

Staying at Baguio Country Club is always such a pleasure for us. The rooms are very cozy, the climate is fabulously cold and the service is quite excellent. The parents decided to have a short 3 day stay here. Yippee for me! This is the lobby by the way. During Christmas time, they sometimes light the fireplace when it gets too cold at night.

Matutina's Seafoods at San Roque, Tarlac City

The day after our cemetery visit duties, the parents and I went to Baguio for some R&R. Whenever we go to Baguio, we always have lunch at Matutina's. There were a couple of times before, we would bumped into Imelda Marcos and her entourage because apparently she is also an Our Lady of Manaog devotee and would eat at this fantastic restaurant before going back to the city.

November 1 in Angeles City

We seldom get to meet our mother-side cousins just because they all live in different areas and it's pretty hard to gather everyone on a single schedule. Since we were younger, we only get to see each other during birthdays of Gwama and Gwakong when they were still alive, November 1, December 24 and 25. Those are our yearly schedule to see each other and gossip till everyone's out of breath. So this year, not everyone was able to make it for our November 1 cemetery get together but it was still just as fun for all of those who were able to go.

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant at SM Mall of Asia

After strolling around leisurely the SuperSale bazaar for more than 3 hours, spending way beyond our planned budgets, Faui and I decided to call it a day. Before going home, we had a light dinner at Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant as she has never dined there before. I suggested we have soup and sushi rolls for our meal.

UCC Vienna Cafe at SM Mall of Asia

We reached SMX around 1:30pm so while walking around the first aisle at the SuperSale Bazaar, we felt hunger pangs and thought we cannot shop properly if we are hungry. We fast walked towards SM Mall of Asia and got in the first restaurant we saw on sight! 

New York Supreme at Balibago, Angeles City

Another new restaurant find in Angeles city is the New York Supreme. And guess what?! They serve PANIZZA!!!! The first time I tried this place was when my parents went out on a date errand, they took out their left overs for me to feast on. So one boring Wednesday, when we had nothing to do in the office, I asked my parents to have merienda at the pizza place.  

Tajimaya Yakiniku Restaurant in SM Mall of Asia

As you all know, Tajimaya Yakiniku Restaurant is a personal favorite place of mine! I just love the beef and I used to eat like 3 to 4 big servings of those per visit. But lately, I haven't gone back to that awesome place. So one rainy night, after a good yoga session with Bernice, I suggest we had an eat all you can at Tajimaya. Bernice informed me that it'll be her first time to try the place so let's see if she would love the place as much as I do!

Weekend Haul

Last Saturday, I accompanied my good friend and now a licensed doctor ( I'm one proud gal!! ) Fauikins to go shopping for new hospital clothes and gifts for her cousins. We found out there was a bazaar happening at SMX Hall so we headed there after lunch.

La Petite Camille in Greenbelt 5, Makati City

After doing some window shopping with Eunice, we wanted to have a light dinner before going home. We ate a couple of pretzels from Auntie Aunts while walking around so we were not really hungry. She suggested this cute restaurant La Petite Camille. I always passed by this place at Greenbelt but never gave it a chance simply because I thought it was just another bakeshop or cafe. The name itself sounds French-y but the food they serve are Vietnamese. Confusing right?

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in SM Mall of Asia

After yet another Yoga Sesh with my good friend Bernice, we headed to SM MOA for dinner. We were both craving for something LIGHT thinking not to waste the calories we just burnt after an hour of hard work. We decided to get ramen noodle soup at Santouka Hokkaido Ramen ( hihihihihi! )!

The Spa Wellness

advertorial

Good day my darling readers! Funny how things turn out sometimes. I was having a not so good week when suddenly I received an email saying they want to sponsor me a spa trip at The Spa. I was like, are they serious or is this just a sham? Upon responding, I found out it was a legit offer and the coincidental part was lately, I was thinking of booking an appointment at The Spa to cheer me up! My family and I have always been loyal clients of The Spa. Whenever we have free time, my mom and I would go to The Fort branch and have a relaxing afternoon spa treatment. I was pretty ecstatic with the offer and of course I gladly accepted it! Due to my busy schedule, I had to rebook a couple of times. On my third re booking, I told them I'll just cancel since I am causing too much inconvenience and would gladly just blog one of my future visits since I'm really about to go to The Spa sometime soon. They patiently worked with my schedule and finally it happened last week! Hooray!!! It was actually my first time to try their services at Shangri-la Mall so here's my photo diary of it!

Quick and Easy Apple Crumble

One of my favorite baked desserts that I often make is this super easy 7 ingredient Apple Crumble dessert! I like making crumbles because you don't have to make those neat pie crust. I like to just mix everything and dump them in one baking dish before baking. No muss no fuss! This recipe is pretty healthy because it has rolled oats in it so you won't feel guilty after having a serving or two. You can put vanilla ice cream on top and you may also put nuts like walnuts or pecans in the crumble mix too.

Big Bite! The Northern Food Festival

Last weekend there was a food festival happening at MarQuee Mall. My mom saw the event on television so before heading back to Manila, we dropped by and had lunch there. Big Bite! The Northern Food Festival was a weekend event to celebrate Kapampangan cuisine. Popular food found all over North had stalls so it was quite fun sampling and buying all my childhood favorites.

Lunch at Hwa Chong Temple Potrero, Malabon

For our grandpa's 100th day, all the family and relatives went to Hwa Chong Temple to do some traditional Chinese praying rituals. After, we had a vegetarian Buddhist lunch at the same place as well. The food wasn't bad at all. We had a total of 12 course a la carte meal.

Kerastase Nutritive Nutri-Thermique Systeme Thermo-Intense

Last August, a sweet reader commented that I have nice hair simply by looking at a semi blurred photo of me. Pumalakpak-tenga ko pati paa ko! I have, since then, planned on posting my simple hair care routine but it took me 2 months to post it because I'm one lazy blogger now... I don't really like spending money on my hair because I'd rather spend it on more important things like shoes. :D I go and see my stylist Rachele Aguila who is now stationed at Salon Privat Manila a maximum of twice per year. I don't like to do those chronologist hair treatment because I find them expensive. I, on my own, do my own deep moisturizing treatment at home using this fabulous product Kerastase Nutritive Nutri-Thermique Systeme Thermo-Intense. This was recommended by Rachele as well. I will write down all the tips on how to apply this miracle hair cream properly down below.

Lugang Cafe at Northeast Greenhills

After running around doing errands with my mom, we decided to have merienda at Lugang Cafe. We heard there was a Metrobank Card promo of 50% off. We noticed a couple of changes since we last dined here few months ago. The heavy hardbound menu was changed into light colorful plastic cover. It kinda changed the tone of Lugang Cafe that was once viewed as a  serious Chinese restaurant into this nice relaxing cafe type where you can order good Chinese food with your friends and hang out at the same place after.

The Royal Touch Cupcakes at SM Aura Premier

Lately, I've been craving for cupcakes. I currently have this obsession with those soft fluffy heavenly sweet treats filled with chocolate or smothered with cream cheese frosting.. AHHHH!!!! I heard about this newly opened cupcake store called The Royal Touch Cupcakes made by this chichi pastry chef who used to make cakes for the British royalties. We braved the road one super rainy weekend just to have those cupcakes!

Gavino's Japanese Donuts & More at Robinsons Place Manila

After doing a quick supermarket errand at Robinsons Place Manila, I passed Gavino's Japanese Donuts & More booth located  at the 4th floor of the mall while going to the parking lot. What makes them different from other donut stores is that they sell Japanese Mochi Donuts! I LOVE LOVE MOCHI so I definitely had to try them out! I got a box of 6 for P222 only. It's definitely a very decent price for quality donuts.

Tony Roma's in Glorietta 4, Makati City

Another Saturday dinner with my siblings and company. We choose Tony Roma's because it's everyone's favorite restaurant in Glorietta. I haven't dined here in months so I was craving for some good ol' fall off the bone ribs!

Angel's Kitchen in Connecticut Street, San Juan

Another family Sunday lunch at Angel's Kitchen. The restaurant is an old time favorite of ours but we don't go there often because it's always packed during weekends. But one Sunday lunch we were all craving for our favorites from the resto, we decided to drive all the way to Greenhills and wait for about 20 minutes to be seated!

Mr. Choi Kitchen in Robinsons Place Manila

Another Sunday family lunch and for the first time, we had it at Mr. Choi Kitchen located in Robinsons Place Manila. The Chinese food was pretty good and service was ok despite that it was a full house that lunch time. We ordered old favorites and even my Ama ( grandma ) gave them a thumb's up.

Uncle Cheffy at Two E-Com Building

After another good Yoga Session laughing session with Bernice, we had dinner at Uncle Cheffy. It was my first time to dine there. I heard and read a lot of good reviews about the Panizza they serve which sadly we weren't able to try. We both were super hungry and wanted to eat rice with viands.

Review: Washi Tapes

There's a new craze in the arts and crafts world! It's the attack of the colorful tapes! Hoarders and my fellow art-attack-wannabes definitely ordered a lot of this Japanese cool tapes to be used to decorate about almost everything they can lay their eyes on. 

Circles Event Cafe in Makati Shangri-la Hotel

One Sunday lunch, the entire family decided to pig out at Circles Event Cafe. I forgot the occasion but I guess everyone just misses the good buffet spread served at Makati Shangri-la Hotel. The service is always superb and the food is always fantastic!

Watami Japanese Casual Dining at SM Mall of Asia

One Saturday night, the Xiamen girl friends and I had dinner out. We were supposed to have dinner at Tajimaya but since we didn't have any reservation because we thought we didn't need one, the restaurant wouldn't let us in (-_-). So we settled for Watami Japanese Casual Dining, the restaurant beside Tajimaya. Some of girls haven't tried it before but heard good reviews about the place.

Saint's Alp Teahouse in Robinsons Magnolia

Happy Tuesday everyone! While waiting for my friends Euni and Fauikins to arrive, Rin and I had a quick cupcake snack at Saint's Alp Teahouse. Lately we're so obsess with cupcakes because of watching too much Cupcake Wars Series!

Yakitori One in SM Aura Premier

It was my dichi Fritzi's birthday. She didn't feel like celebrating it but she did invite us for lunch. While waiting for Samara in school, I suggested we have a quick lunch at Yakitori One located in SM AURA's food court. When we were in Japan, we just LOVED the yakitori meats being sold on streets so when this restaurant opened, it was on top of my must try list!

Van Gogh Is Bipolar at Maginhawa Street, Quezon City

Last August 31, Lyn invited all the girls to try this fabulous restaurant she has tried twice before. She raves about how quirky the place is and how fantastic the food they serve. Van Gogh Is Bipolar is located near UP Diliman so it's quite far from where I live but I definitely planned and made it happen to be there! Sadly, Jethro the owner, cook and server left for Europe the following day and he will be back on November. So if you guys want to check his uber cool pad, make reservation on November.

Cold Stone Creamery at Serendra, Fort Bonifacio

When my Achi and her family came back to Manila for a visit, we had lunch at one of their favorite restaurants Sariwon Korean Barbecue in Fort. After, we headed to Cold Stone Creamery for dessert because baby Audrey was demanding for ice cream!

Gaucho in Robinsons Magnolia

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Faustine is waiting for the results of her board exams. To take her mind off her worrying and to pretty much just have a great time out, we decided to do a little window shopping and have a nice dinner at Gaucho Cocina Y Vinos Argentinos after.

Salon Privat Manila at The Infinity Tower

A couple of weeks ago, I had my bi-yearly haircut from Rachel. She used to be at Kerastase Institute by Salon Esa in 6750 but transferred to yet another salon this year. She's now working with the team of Salon Privat located in Fort. This salon was interiored by the famous Tessa Prieto-Valdez so expect the salon ambiance to be wonderfully fun with fine furniture pieces.

My Kitchen By Chef at The Oasis

One Sunday after visiting Angkong in the temple and praying for him as well, the entire family went straight to My Kitchen By Chef Chris for a late lunch. It was about 2:30 in the afternoon so the place was pretty much deserted. Service was fabulous fast and the food was as always, extremely good.

Yabu The House of Katsu at SM Mall of Asia

Good day everyone. I've been seeing a lot of blog posts about the additional new items served at Yabu The House of Katsu. So one afternoon, after a nice Yoga Session with my Yoga buddy Bernice, I suggested we have a good rice dinner at Yabu. I was kinda afraid there would be a long queue because whenever we try to eat at this branch, there's at least a 30 minutes waiting period. We only waited for 2 minutes to be seated. I guess there are a lot of Katsu Restaurants opening left and right so people have other options now.

Hong Kong Shopping Haul

Hello my dear readers! We are now at my favorite portion of my travel blogging which is the shopping haul part! I got stuff from the usual brands I always buy from. Here are some of the things I got from the 5 days we stayed in Hong Kong.

Destination: ASIA'S WORLD CITY HONG KONG (Day 05 Canton Deli, Harbour City, Hong Kong Airport, Departure)

For our fifth and final day in Hong Kong, the parents waited for us to have breakfast at Canton Deli located inside Harbour City Mall. We frequently pass by this place whenever we walk towards the mall from our hotel and decided to give it a try because it's always full.

Destination: ASIA'S WORLD CITY HONG KONG (Day 04 Ruby Tuesday, Tai O Market, Harbour City, Cafe de Coral)

On our fourth day, the weather in Hong Kong decided to be kind to us so we went on our planned sightseeing trip to Tai O Market. This place is probably unknown to all of you as I also have never heard of it until my sister Rin told me she wanted to go there. I did spend most to my budget shopping so I guess this sightseeing trip is probably the best idea rather than stay in the city and spend some more. lol. First we had brunch at Ruby Tuesday located in Silvercord Mall. We often eat at Silvercord because it's just a block away from our hotel.

Destination: ASIA'S WORLD CITY HONG KONG (Day 03 Sogo, Time Square, Silvercord Mall, Broadway Circuit Cinema)

On our third day, we all accompanied my mom do her usual shopping at Sogo in Causeway Bay. My parents wake up very early, like 6am early. So by 8, they would go out and have breakfast at nearby dimsum places. Rin and I both haven't had breakfast yet and we thought about IKEA's Swedish Meatballs!

Destination: ASIA's WORLD CITY HONG KONG (Day 02 Central, Hakata Ippudo, Citygate Outlets, Caffe Superiore, Mongkok Night Market)

Our second day started with a nice ramen lunch at Hakata Ippudo located at Century Square Building, Central. It was a gloomy day and we were sure it was going to drizzle. We were suppose to go sightseeing at Tai O Market but cancelled it and decided to just go mall hopping.

Destination: ASIA'S WORLD CITY HONG KONG (Day 01 Arrival, Silvercord Mall, The Prince Hotel, Dimsumbar)

Last July 20 my family and I went on a mini vacation trip to Hong Kong. We stayed there for 5 days doing pretty much nothing other than eating good food, sleeping in a fine hotel bed and shopping whatever it was on sale. We left Manila at 8 in the morning so that means I had to wake up at 4:30 and leave our house at 6. I was in a zombie-like-state of mind.