Sizzling Good Food At Pepper Lunch

pepper lunch's premium steak

Normally, when I'm buying things for myself it doesn't take me that much time to choose. Let say, if I'm shopping for clothes or accessories, I could be done in thirty minutes. Most possibly because I already know my clothes size so I don't dilly-dally that much, especially if I really like the fabric and the style of the clothing. Its a different story, though, if I'm buying books or buying stuff for my family or friends. I could spend hours and hours inside a bookstore reading the synopses of prospect books to buy and the reviews before finally heading to the counter with my selected books to purchase. I could get nit-picky, on the other hand, buying for other people. Gauging if the items I'm planning to procure would suit the person I would buy it for. The color. The style of the accessory. Will these shoes fit that person's foot size? What if that person already had this same exact cap? I could get too focus on the most frivolous, diminutive details that it borderline manic madness.

An Impromptu Movie & Foodie Date w/ Karen Anne

menu

I've often mentioned to my friend Karen Anne that she was the one 'responsible' for my changed of mindset (more like a metamorphosis) about food and eating. Before we've met, I'm very much contented eating at fast food chains (the usual suspects would be Jollibee, McDonalds and KFC). I then subscribed to Henry's, my cheapskate friend, point of view about food: "Hindi naman kailangang kumain sa mahal dahil matutunaw din naman yan sa tiyan." At that time, eating at Pizza Hut or even having a Baconator meal at Wendy's was already considered a luxury on my part. 

A Day With Henry & Gael

pouring syrup on pancakes

I got a private message from Henry on Facebook wanting us to meet before he set off to Singapore for a month long vacation. He said Gael will be joining us as well. I was only unsure about Henry's specified date (which according to him its non-negotiable because he'll be busy packing and running some errands right after for his impending travel) for us to meet since I'm also expecting another get-together of some sort with Lei and company. Good thing, Lei informed me thru text that the planned get-together will be postponed till next week. The outcome of that get-together with Lei and the rest of my IMPI family was detailed on my Cafe Cristina post.

All Things Nice, Pretty...And Yummy At Sweet Bella Cafe

sweet bella's dessert

I first learned about Sweet Bella Cafe when famous radio jock Delle Arias (of DWRX 93.1) mentioned on Twitter about how yummy the cakes and desserts she tried here. It got me so curious that I immediately Googled it and was instantly in awe of their intricately designed cakes. Whimsical was the first thing that came to my mind as I gaze upon those lovely, too-pretty-to-eat desserts. I was mainly drawn by the butterflies that adorned most of their cakes. I was so fraught by an unquenchable desire to visit this dessert haven of a place that I headed to then named The Fort to see (and experience) Sweet Bella first hand.

Moi Aussi Je T'Aime, Brasserie Ciçou

table setting

Ah, Valentines! Its that time of the year when romance filled the air. When you can hear sappy love songs being played from the radio. Romantic flicks being shown in the cinemas. Roses. Chocolates. Love letters. Perfumes. Kisses. Wines. Heart-shaped cakes and sweets. More importantly, couples: Men wearing their sleekest outfits; the women dressed to the nines; sharing the most exquisite dinner in a fancy restaurant. All symbolize the romanticism brought about by this particular date in February. Even single people like me can get intoxicated by it sometimes. Some say its overrated, I'd say its magical. And who said Valentines are only meant for couples? That is so yesterday! I'd say stop sulking, get your buns going, go out and enjoy the night! You'd never know, you might get the attention of the hottest bachelor or bachelorette in town.

Subspace Love

subspace coffee's chocolate paradise & purple potato latte

I first read about Subspace Coffee just in passing, I'm hard pressed to remember where exactly I read about it. Maybe some online article or briefly mentioned on the comments section of the food blogs I usually frequented. I do remember that I briefly checked their Facebook page and my attention was not immediately caught by it. Not until I checked out one of many who blogged about this coffee shop, and I was literally floored by the design concept and the interiors of the cafe that I knew right away that I must visit Subspace.

A Trip Down To Memory Lane At Goodles

pastas at goodles

Goodles has been my favorite hang-out place in Robinsons Galleria along with my peers, especially when I was just starting out as a call center agent on one of those buildings surrounding the mall. My very first visit to Goodles was with Jhen. We thoroughly enjoyed our pastas of choice while we leafed through our chosen magazines as we took advantage of the mall's free wi-fi access. Jhen prefers any white sauce pasta, usually a toss-up between Grape Carbonara and Chicken Vodka. I am the more flexible one, I think I already tried almost all the pasta to-go they're offering but my favorite would be the Seven Layer Lasagna. Its very cheesy, and meaty, and could really fill you up easily. Amped the flavor of your pasta by sprinkling it with more parmesan cheese and for the brave, chili flakes, and you're in for a blissful gourmet pasta experience on a budget. 

My Heart Beats For Cafe Cristina

cafe cristina's food

A cheesy title for a post, I know. But hey! Valentine is just around the corner so one can be excused to be cheesy these days. Cafe Cristina, situated along Marcos Highway, may not be an ideal spot for a romantic rendezvous, since its right within the vicinity of a Shell gas station (the cafe gives off a more homey, barkada hang-out feel), but you would literally fall in love with some of the food items they offer, as I did.

When my friend Lei briefly mentioned on her Facebook status that she went to Cafe Cristina after a relaxing massage with our common friends, I really got curious and asked her the exact location of the cafe. I even went to the extent of Googling about the cafe. One thing led to another, the next thing we know, we're already plotting a possible get together brunch with our friends. Possibly with the same group of friends who was with me on that wonderful Johnny Rockets pre-Christmas get-together, with more people adding in. 

Launch Your Appetite At Lunch Pod

lunch pod's food

I'm one of the many "night crawlers" working in Eton Cyberpod who got excited when Lunch Pod finally opened on the ground floor of our building. This canteen served as a nice respite from the very few food places inside the building which usually just a toss-up between Mini-Stop for quick bites, Mang Inasal or Jollibee. I know the name of the canteen is quite odd but as they say: Never judge a book by its cover. If other food places offers all-day breakfast food, Lunch Pod offers all-day----and night lunch food to cater to people who works in the outsourcing company also located inside the building. Thus, the name implies.