Broasted Chicken, Icy Gelato & Damn Good Mexican Food

Detailing a few good eats I've been to when I visited the Magnolia-Gilmore Street in a not too distant past.

Taking My Nanay Out To Eat

food at Wildflour

My Nanay is not the kind of person who usually eat out. Especially on restaurants she has never heard of. Quite the opposite of me who's usually on a prowl every weekend. It's my way to distress after a hectic workweek. My Nanay usually busies herself on church activities during her "me" time. If ever she would eat out with her church buddies, it's usually the fast food chains that they zeroed in to. So on the very few occasion that I'm able to convince her to go out with me, I usually bring her to restaurants that's new to her but would not alienate her at the same time. I usually chose for her restaurants that has a homey feel to it and that promises a relaxed meal.

Food Prowl in Lilac Street

claypot noodle soup 

Marikina is, no doubt, a treasure trove for those on the prowl for good food. I, for one, have a list of food places to visit here. But the seemingly maze-like streets and passageways could scare people like me who's directionally challenged. Good thing I have a number of friends who are well-versed with the nooks and crannies of Marikina. So now I'm quite confident that I could now pay Lilac Street a visit which I was clueless before on how to get there.

Me & My Love Affair w/ Coffee (Last Part)

flat white

It's been a while, I know. Been stumped lately. But if it would interest you, here's a few more coffee shops that I've enjoyed visiting recently.

Drinks w/ A Touch Of Whimsy

cocktail drink

Whimsical drinks such as cocktails has a bewitching appeal to me. I do chug an occasional bottle of beer but nothing lures me better to alcohol consumption than a cocktail drink with an exotic name and handcrafted with care.

Me & My Love Affair w/ Coffee (Part One)

cafe latte w/ a heart shaped latte art

I'd like to think that I've come a long way when it comes to appreciating a good cup of coffee. Of course, I would never dis instant coffee. I still drink it up to this day since I don't owe any coffee making machine so the easiest way for me to get my caffeine fix (aside from visiting a nearby Starbucks which can get quite expensive if done on a daily basis) is to open up a satchet of instant coffee, add some creamer and sugar and voila! coffee bliss. But going to a coffee shop is a totally different thing. I would even say I'm kind of nitpicky choosing a cafe or coffee shop to visit. Great thing for caffeineaholics like me, there's a whole slew of coffee shops right now in the metro to get caffeinated-high. And wouldn't it be nice if the barista who prepared your cup of joe put extra care capping your coffee with a beautiful latte design?

I Enjoy Eating Alone; or Otherwise

I do enjoy eating alone. It's really not a big deal. I know a lot of people who couldn't bear the thought of going to the office pantry by themselves and eating in a corner with their order of viand and rice. Not me. I do relish my moment with my food. Eating is a personal thing also, you know? But I also don't mind sharing my food moment with friends. So, here's yet another post from recent visits I made with friends or just by me, hence the title of the post.

San Juan & Its Array Of Pleasure On The Palate

Japanese-style pizza

Staging a food trip in San Juan requires a little bit of mental and physical conditioning on my part, for the reason that I don't own a car and that I usually just commute or travel by foot. So I rarely set foot to San Juan. And the instances that I'm here are on occasions when I'm really raring to try out a restaurant or a food place that I've stumbled upon on the Net. 

Restaurants That I Wish Would Make A Comeback

sundae at Mr. Jones

I have read somewhere (to be more specific it's by Stephen King from an introduction he wrote for his collection of short stories, Everything's Eventual) that what's lost has a way of staying lost. He's talks about at length the dwindling existence of short stories and the pulp magazines that used to publish these genre short stories. I guess it's the same thing goes with restaurants that finally close its curtains. And you're suddenly swept by sadness in the realization that you'll never enjoy again the food that so much captured your heart (insert sniffles here).

Homey, Comfort Food

cake slices from Chocolate Kiss Cafe

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the whole dining experience gave you a very lasting impression? That the food served was downright good and homey that you're still thinking about it even days after? This happened to me on the following restaurants where good food and the somewhat shabby chic ambience created a perfect harmony for me to totally enjoy my meal.

Exploring The Province Of Rizal

burger and milkshake at Frank & Charles

The province of Rizal is probably the least of my priority to set about for a food trip. My unreliable sense of location and unsure of how to commute my way are some of the reasons that impede me from exploring a place. And Rizal is such a big region that I would retreat and dawdle even before I really begin. Scared if I get lost or be hit by a large truck for being so preoccupied and inattentive of the road or be in contact with hostile scavengers. The thoughts that sprang from my head, I tell you. But when I saw a picture of a burger joint posted by a friend on Facebook which I will further discuss as you come along, it's enough for me to throw caution to the wind and prompted me to do my heavy research online and even texting some friends for direction guide on how to get to these parts of Rizal.

Food Tripping w/ Your Best Buddy (Last Part)

food at Ippudo

The food tripping at UP Town Center with Karen Anne was followed up by a string of visits to other restaurants at various places.

Food Tripping w/ Your Best Buddy (First Part)

food at Dulcelin Gourmet

If I could choose among my friends who could be my favorite food trip buddy, that would be no other than Karen. She doesn't quibble about prices or the enormity of the food we're about to partake. We could always ask for it to be placed on a take away bag, she would quip to which I would concur.

What I Did Last Valentine's Day

food at Marufuku

So, Valentine's Day has come and gone. But that doesn't mean that only couples had the license to enjoy and celebrate the cheesiest season this year (I mean that in a good way). Even happily single persons like me (I meant that with conviction!) also has a way of enjoying this season of hearts. It may not be conventional to some but hey! Whatever works, right?

FACE-OFF: Visiting Various Carinderia

food at Tapsi Ni Papi

It's nice to be in a neighborhood who's slowly becoming aware of the growing market of people wanting to get good food. I maybe the most happiest seeing food establishments and carinderia sprouting in our village (that's in Countryside Village in Ortigas Extension) like mushrooms. I've been to a couple of them and will narrate to you my rants and my raves, if you don't mind me doing so.