A New Breakfast Lovers' Hotspot

I just love breakfast and I get grumpy when I miss the most important meal of the day. We Pinoys just love food that most of us eat 6 times a day (breakfast, brunch, lunch, merienda, dinner, and midnight snack). But nothing beats breakfast. A great breakfast is the perfect way to start the day. 

Another restaurant I would love to try is π Breakfast and Pies by Chef Ed Bugia. 

Photo from Pepper.ph

Yet another gem waiting to be flocked to by (since it has been discovered already), it has a lot of reasons why it should be your next breakfast destination!

Photo from isabelladepano.tumblr.com

Aside from the typical Eggs Benedict (called Eggs Benny in Breakfast and Pies), they have interesting gourmet waffles such as Salmon and Waffle at a very friendly price of PHP155! Topped with Salmon gravlax and fried capers, this will surely hit the tummy's happy bone! (Okay, that sounded weird and not just because the tummy doesn't have bones.)

Gluttonshopper on an L.A. (Mis)Adventure

If you're in L.A., a car is not a want, it's a necessity. Going around places is difficult without one. But the thing is, if you don't have one, you can't keep on relying on someone who has. You just have to brave it up and explore! And so I did.

During my first trip in L.A., I was with my mom and sister and we used to take the bus together. We have been to Chinatown, Glendale, and Hollywood via bus. And we didn't get lost at all thanks to the detailed bus route from one of my aunts. (Plus you are braver when you're with someone.) I also took the bus last year once on my own and I was confident simply because I know where I was going, my favorite mall, Americana.

From Beametrobusoperator.com

But yesterday was a different situation. I wanted to visit my Aunt's dad who got confined in a hospital in Glendale but I have no idea how to go there from Carson. And I have never tried riding the bus around Carson. 

 

So I did a bit of research and found some apps to use. I downloaded four but ended up using just one and deleted the other two since they were all MAJOR FAIL. I kept the other one for double checking routes and schedules.

A Milkshake Comeback: Once Upon A Milkshake

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard... What does that even mean?! Well, I know one thing, milkshake is L-O-V-E. 

Some of the best milkshakes I have tried before were the ones from In-N-Out and Shake Shack. Creamy, rich, and just so heavenly!

 

In Manila, the one I can recall is Peanut Butter Company's Dark Chocolate PB Banana Milkshake. Yummy and great for sharing (calories included).

But I'm sensing the craze will be back again with Once Upon A Milkshake. 

Ramen Girl Update: Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen New Dishes

I think I have already overly shared how much I love anything Japanese. From anime (I secretly want to cosplay... okay, it's no longer a secret), to the language (konnichiwa!), from the culture, to of course, FOOD.

I turn green with envy every time I see people post photos of themselves in Japan. It has been a dream of mine to go there. Authentic Japanese food!!! I heard that those hole-in-the-wall restaurants serve the best ramen! *Think Ramen Girl*

Luckily, there are some restaurants in Manila that offer really good ramen. One of which is my favorite Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen. I just fell in love with the Black Garlic Tonkotsu as it is different from the other ramen I have tried before. Plus, having the freedom to choose how hard you want your noodles? H-E-A-V-E-N!

A few days back, R of Ikkoryu Fukuoka emailed me that they have new dishes. I turned green again because I can't try it anytime soon. (Cue: TT_TT) 

Curious on what their new dishes are? 

Kettle: Fried Chicken Heaven?

What is torture for food bloggers? Seeing food shots and new restaurants we cannot visit because we're at a far away place. Daaaaaaaaarn!

Okay, what's happening? I left Manila for a few months and I see all these new establishments popping here and there! I am dying here! Since I could not do anything for now, let me share with you the food finds/establishments I can't wait to try or visit soon. (Warning: To help ease the pain of not eating these yummy dishes, I will do the listing in parts. Please bear with me. Oh and share your finds too!)

Kettle.

Image from Kettle

Why must you open just now? I read at Yummy magazine that your fried chicken is superb! I love fried chicken to the point that I ate it for one whole week! 

Image from Munchingaroundmanila.com

Since Kettle was featured by my favorite food magazine, I decided to check its menu and if I could just order NOW, I'd get the Oven Roasted Squash Soup (PHP249) just because squash is so delicious and that they don't have my other favorite... tomato soup. 

Image from Dude4food.blogspot.com

The Pork and Potato Strips (PHP339) which was described as a combination of crunchy pork belly and fresh potato chips is tempting too. Fine, irresistible!  

My First Thanksgiving (and Black Friday) Experience

It was my first time to experience Thanksgiving and Black Friday here in the US and it sure was TIRING.

Unlike the Philippines, most parts of the US do not celebrate Christmas the way Pinoys do. I think the only place in America that feels just like the bright Manila is New York. But I'm in California, 6 hours away from the Big Apple. Then again, they also have something quite similar to our Christmas where relatives come over to share a feast and that's Thanksgiving.

Foodie Alert: Butterbeer Frappuccino?!?

Harry Potter has been known as a  series of books and movies people of all ages enjoyed. My sister for one got instantly hooked to the movie adaptation when we were in a Harry Potter crash course appreciation program just so we could truly enjoy Universal Studios. Unfortunately, I wasn't converted into a muggle. But I do remember enjoying the 4D ride and the drink they call... Butterbeer.

Oh butterbeer! The last time I got to taste you was way back in 2011 and I miss you so much! I dream of the sweet taste, the little foam, the delectable aroma.

But great news! Starbucks is finally offering butterbeer. Well, sort of.

Image from Hypable.com

Thanks to Starbucks Holiday drinks, we can now request butterbeer from our friendly baristas. Just tell them these:

A Jolly Christmas Ahead?

Facebook has become my source of the latest news (and gossip). It never fails to give me interesting reads. Last week, one particular news that caught my attention was Jollibee's latest offering...

Jollibee's Dancing Doll.

Image from Jollibee's Facebook page

Okay, my initial reaction was, who would want that?! The doll looked creepy in so many ways. But I guess the picture did not give the doll justice as after watching the teaser, I want not one but three for myself!!!

Here's another video of a kid with her new toy. Apparently, it sings too! If you attended a birthday party at Jollibee, you'd recognize the song. It's the song Jollibee sings and dances to. *cute*

#ReliefPH

The typhoon Yolanda has created havoc in several  parts of the Philippines, specifically Tacloban, Leyte with an alarmingly high death toll.  

People have come together once again to reach out to these affected areas. Many have gathered to bring relief goods and those who cannot help financially gave their time to pack the goods and helped have it ready to be shipped to the affected cities. 

However, it has also been reported that there are some trucks that do not make it to the victims as these were attacked. A mall too was looted to the very last can of soup. It may have been a sign of desperation (or opportunity).  

Image from http://www.esperanzagarcia.net

I pray that peace and order will once again be restored in these areas. I also hope that the victims themselves work together to make things better again. It'll be hard for sure. But we Pinoys, as CNN may or may have not said, are resilient and strong. We will surpass this. Let us not use this calamity as an excuse to do something we'd regret in the future. Instead, let's build the cities again, stronger, and more prepared for the future. We can do this!

Click here to know more on how to help out.

A McDonald's Treat: Cookie Butter McFlurry

This 2013 has been a food craze year. We have the tea craze, gelato addiction, and of course, who wouldn't remember the long lines to get our hands and teeth on croughnuts? But the biggest craze to hit the Philippines is... Cookie Butter!

You see cookie butter everywhere! On ice cream, doughnuts, other forms of pastries, and of course, Instagram, Facebook, and those food sharing sites. Big brands such as Krispy Kreme and small but hot brands such as Bono Artisanal Gelato embraced this delectable spread. And now, McDonald's joined the bandwagon.

Hello, Cookie Butter McFlurry!

Image from mcdonalds.com.ph

If you are not too fond of Cookie Butter, there's always...

Restaurant Discovery: Extraordinary Desserts

Blooooog! I miss you! I have been sick for almost 2 weeks so I was hibernating like a big Grizzly bear! I hardly went out too but I still have a few finds I'd love to share with you all and one of which was our stop after Legoland.

Hello, Extraordinary Desserts!

I love hanging out with K and T as I get to go to nice restaurants. Eating out here is so expensive. Yes, even eating at an ordinary restaurant will cost you over a thousand Pesos. The perk though is that I get to learn how to cook. (Yeeeeees!) Anyway, I am getting off topic here.

We arrived at Extraordinary Desserts a bit past 8 p.m. and the place was packed! We had to wait around 20 minutes to get a table. And while waiting, we were given a little notepad where we could jot down what desserts we want to try. 

And it was difficult! How can I choose just one in this display?! I want to try them all! But my wallet can only afford one! Huhuhu! Curse the high prices!

N and I ended up with the Chocolate Macadamia Torte as N is a macadamia lover. T and K went with one of the specials, German  Chocolate Cake with Brown Sugar Ice Cream on the side. 

The savory menu is quite limited so we opted for the dishes that we think would fill us the most... Panini.

I ordered the Smoked Salmon Panini ($12) while N ordered the Portobello and Brie Panini ($12). I also ordered a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup ($7.5) as it was chilly that night.

For a full house, service was pretty quick.

Let's Go to Legoland

I have always wanted to visit Legoland but I never get to find the time to visit it. I remember my sister and I drooling over the commercial. Who cares if the rides are kiddie?! We'll be surrounded by colorful blocks!

It took a bit of effort before I managed to convince N to go to Legoland. But finally, we found ourselves on our way to Carlsbad, California for some bonding time with the lovable toys. 

We arrived a bit past 1 p.m. and K and T welcomed us with their matching blue tops. N too was wearing blue. I was a bit blue (excuse the pun) as I was wearing white then. Boo! I didn't get the memo!

Hello colorful piece of land! 

We were amazed by the blocks and blocks and blocks of wonderful Lego creations. At first, we were debating on whether the whole statues were 100% Lego. Of course the staff would say yes but we have our doubts.

We started the day with a hearty lunch. We spotted a place that serves Chicken Stir-Fry, Grilled Steak Sandwich, and Spicy Shrimp Linguini. T and I tried the sandwich while N ordered chicken and K got the linguini. N got the best dish.

Our first ride was a mini version of Enchanted Kingdom's Anchors Away. It was fun but it made us slightly dizzy. Just like the guy here. (Note: I failed to take pictures of the rides so I'll proceed to the things that mesmerized me.)