First Bite: Finnians Irish Pub

St. Patrick's Day is a worldwide celebration of the Irish culture. It is also the day synonymous to October Fest. Known to be the day everyone dons a green garment, the night ends till  your face turns green as well with alcohol. It just comes once a year so it's fine. But what if I tell you that there's a place that makes one feel like you're in Ireland and gives the St. Patrick's Day vibe year round?

Hello, Finnians Irish Pub.

Tucked inside the foodie jungle San Juan, this quaint restaurant and bar is right beside the classic Calderon. 

Dark fixtures are the first thing you'll notice when you enter Finnians. Right beside the staircase is its bar filled with liquor, Irish beers and whiskeys that will make anyone fond of drinking giddy with joy. 

Restaurant Love: St. Patrick's

My friends and I have been planning to have dinner in Kapitolyo for months after realizing that our offices are practically neighbors. But since everyone’s so busy, we just can’t find time to do it. Until one Facebook post made it possible. Then again, K suddenly had to back. But since F and I were stressed that day, we still went for it.

Hello, St. Patrick's!

St. Patrick's was rather packed when we arrived. Originally, we planned on having dinner at Red Panda but we decided to change venues due to the desire to drink. [No, we are not alcoholics. Just so we’re clear. ;)]

The menu covers simple dishes so it wasn’t that hard for us to choose which ones to order. We opted for the following: Spam Chips (PHP160), Calamari (PHP180), Taco Bites (PHP180), and Shepherd’s Pie (PHP250). I went for a glass of Margarita (PHP180) while F ordered beer.

First served was the plate of Spam chips. It was simply deep fried thinly sliced Spam and it was superb! Okay, I’m a bit biased as I love Spam!

Next served was the Calamari. It was your typical calamari with yummy garlic mayo! I enjoyed the dip so much that I ate the carrot sticks! (And I hate carrots!)

The Taco Bites were awesome! It was slightly spicy but very tolerable. I enjoyed the flavorful chili con carne and the generous dose of cheese. 

Restaurant Discovery: Lusso

I am seriously addicted to salmon! Every time I get to see salmon being offered, I order it. Sashimi, baked, or whatnot, I must try it. 

I finally reached the point of being “quarter of a century”. It makes one feel a lot older, right? *sigh* But one nice thing that comes with age is TONS of experiences and memories. It may be good or bad, but hey, it makes you who you are now. (Well, if we try to connect it with salmon, it may sound weird, but I hope you get my point.)

Anyway, Frannywanny asked me a few Sundays ago if I was free for dinner at Lusso. It was actually my birthday but since my family usually celebrates my birthday over lunch, I said I could join her and her lovely cousins.

I’ve never heard of this place before but based on how excited Frannywanny was, I bet it’s a good restaurant. And, boy, was it posh-looking. Unlike other restaurants with screaming signages, this restaurant was pretty simple with its name on its door handle. It was wittily done too using a long L as both the signage and a decorative piece for the entrance.