Shopping Bag: Rice Krispies Treat ; Holiday House Kit

I should have blogged about this sooner since it's been 2 months we did this, but I never had the time to. I always prioritized other posts and it was bumped time after time.

Penne Pasta with Italian Sausage and Tomato Sauce

I've only just recently started cooking with Italian sausage. I thought about making this as an usual dog on a bun or grilled with something on a side, but I remembered an episode of the Food Network where Giada De Laurentiis used Italian sausage in a pasta dish.

El Viento @ Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu

This lunch was unbelievably bad! You would expect (because of the hotel and the price) that the food would be amazing but no, it was just plain terrible! Shockingly terrible! And not just the food, but the service too! I still can't believe we passed on the buffet to eat here.

Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is part of a known Hong Kong Hotel Group. They have partner hotels all over Asia and have established quite a reputation. This particular hotel has been in Cebu for 5 years now. 5 years! How time flies fast! For those who haven't been in Cebu in the past 5 five years will recognize that Marco Polo Plaza has replaced the old Cebu Plaza Hotel.

Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu - Summer Dayscapade Promo

Refresh, relax, and recharge at 600 feet above the city with Marco Polo Plaza's cooling Summer Dayscapade! -Marco Polo Plaza - Cebu

Corn and Bacon Chowder

I started making this chowder thinking I would make it as the starter of our dinner. It wasn't until I was preparing the ingredients and doing the mise en place that I decided to make this the main meal instead.

Pancake House's Best Taco in Town Promo

We got a lovely surprise in our newspaper today. Four Pancake House menu pamphlets with 2 coupons each for their Best Taco in Town. For P128, you have 1 taco and 1 coke in can. It is inclusive of 12% VAT, but it is subject to 8% service charge so you end up paying a total of P138.25.

Buffet Style : Grand Majestic Dinner Buffet

Grand Majestic has been around for so long that I don't even remember when they started their daily lunch and dinner buffet. If you want to skip the buffet, you can still order a la carte and they even have function rooms that cater for small to large groups with set meals. Events that are booked at the ballrooms of the Grand Convention Center are also catered by Grand Majestic. Through the years, I've attended birthdays, baptisms,and weddings here and I've always had a delicious time! My favorite dishes are the Pancit and Patatim paired with their yummy fried bread.

Carcar Chicharon

Last Sunday, MR and SM spent the day at Argao for SM's cousin's baptism. On the way home, they passed by Carcar, which is a city in the south of Cebu. It is well-known for its delicacy like Bucarillo and Ampao, but most especially Carcar Lechon (roasted pig) and Chicharon. Chicharon is deep-fried pork rind.

Lunch @ Lemon Grass, Ayala Center Cebu

A month ago, MR's older brother's wife gave birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy and today is the baptism. The event is happening in Argao and that will take about a 2 hour car ride from the city. The whole family is going. Unfortunately, last night Dad got sick suddenly and had high fever when we woke up early morning (meeting point is at my in-laws by 5am).

Lemon Grass, Ayala Center Cebu

The first time I ate at Lemon Grass, I did not like it. This was when they were still at their old location in Ayala Center (the Entertainment Zone, I believe). But I talked with a friend and she raved about the restaurant and told me to give it a second try. I asked for food recommendations and my husband/boyfriend and I eventually went back. This was when I learned to always give a restaurant a second chance; you never know how that might turn out.

Dinner @ T.G.I.Friday's, Ayala Center Cebu

A friend's visit, French Pop Circus, dinner at Friday's, and a cup of Gelatissimo. Wasn't this an awesome day?!?

T.G.I. Friday's at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu

In 1994, T.G.I. Friday's opened their first branch in the Philippines. Years later when The Terraces was opened, it finally opened a branch in Cebu City. The restaurant's theme is very casual American. The food, the ambiance and music, and most especially the decors!

Snacks @ Burrito Bar, BTC, Cebu

It's an obsession I tell you! Second time in one week and if we could we'd go for a third and fourth time too!

After SM's gymboree class, I asked her what she wanted for her snacks and instead of saying her usual popcorn or hotdog choice, she shouted: BURRITO! 

I know I should have said no...but....I really wanted a burrito too! LOL!

La Marea, The Walk @ IT Park, Cebu

One of my oldest friends is leaving for France soon. Her brother is getting married and the whole family is going there. France is a great place (obviously I'm biased LOL) and I could tell how excited she was! I, for my part, am excited to hear all of her stories when she comes back in about 3 weeks. It's been a while that we've been wanting to go to France ourselves and check our options. I really want SM to explore her roots and meet my family there.

Delivery: Yellow Cab, BTC Cebu

 MR's eldest sister just gave birth to a healthy baby girl: Congratulations Ate SH & SI! 

This baby marks the 7th grandchild of MR's parents and the 6th cousin of SM in her paternal side.
Since MR's sister and her husband live in the USA, we have yet to see baby pictures. But we did call them and everything went great during the labor and birth. Baby BL arrived about 2 weeks early, but is an healthy 6.1 pounds baby girl.

Pick-Up: Casa Verde, The Walk @ IT Park

I have the sweetest boyfriend husband! I've been with him for 10 years now and he never fails me to put a smile on my face. By now, you'd think that things would have changed, but the "magic" is certainly still there. He's a quiet and calm guy and people don't often see his romantic and sensitive side, but I think it's special only I get to see him that way.

Pesto & Tuna Pasta

I'm pretty excited to share with you my first experience with pesto! On Sunday Easter, I bought a bottle of homemade pesto at Tinderbox and I kept it in the refrigerator. I had it there but completely forgot about it until two days ago. But we were at my in-laws so I couldn't make it. I wondered if it was still good after storing it for 3 weeks.

Fiesta Time

The buffet table.

It's fiesta time again at my in-laws in honor of the Inahan sa Kanunay Panabang or Mother of Perpetual Help. My husband and I were together for 7 years before we got officially married, so by now I am familiar with how things go at their place and we always remember the fiesta at their chapel because it's always after his eldest sister's birthday.

Poached Eggs

oval and neat. the perfect poached egg.

My husband bought me my very own copy of Julia Child's cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. This was the perfect gift (obviously, I like collecting cookbooks). I've browsed through the recipes and I really want to find time to try at least one soon. I've always been fascinated with Julia Child and that just increased even more when her movie and book came out.

Food Stall: Burrito Bar

For the past 2 years and a half, we've been going to Banilad Town Center at least 3 times a week. That is because our daughter has been going to Gymboree for toddler classes and we buy our weekly bread at the Sunday market. Ultimately, by now we've been able to try the various food sold at BTC. My personal favorite are the Xiao Long Bao at Choi City and the Egg Tarts at Pan De Manila.

Dinner @ Sai Gon Quan, Parkmall Cebu

We shared our food, so I chose dishes that I knew everyone would enjoy.

Sai Gon Quan, Parkmall Cebu

This was a post-mother's day dinner so I was in charge of choosing the place. I had several places in mind, places I wanted to try for the first time and old personal favorites. This was my opportunity to be selfish. I decided on Sai Gon Quan in Parkmall Cebu. Sai Gon Quan is a personal favorite. We've eaten there twice before and although I wished we could go there more often, it is quite a long way from our place.

Pork Ribs Soup

Seems likes the weather just can't seem to make up his mind. One day it's hot like crazy and the next it's pouring down heavily! I just wished it would make up its mind and maybe stay somewhere in the middle of both extremes. Don't they say that this kind of interchanging weather makes us prone to the flu and other illnesses?

Filipino-Style Spaghetti

First of all, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!  Being a mom is a full-time job and it's a hard job too! I'm not much into gifts, but it's nice to know that there is one special day to acknowledge our presence and hard work! Big kuddos to all mothers out there!

Cordon Bleu

Today was a very exciting and busy day for us! We went to the mall, did a little shopping, bought SM a new bed, and had her ears pierced! She's been asking for earrings (like her mama's) and I finally had the courage to encourage to have hers done. She cried a little but considering the pain and her fear, was a very courageous little girl.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Today officially marks the second week of our daughter's SM Summer Gym Camp. She's been doing quite well and really enjoys her time. She recognizes her classmates and their names and absolutely adores her teacher and the assistant teacher. Her summer gym camp class is 3 times a week (Tuesday-Thursday-Friday) and lasts one and a half hour while on Fridays it's one hour long. Her classes consists of Fitness Fun, Arts, Music, and Learning Lab. They've arranged it so the children get a little of everything per day. SM really appreciates the class and brags about her work and what she's learned all the time!

Food Stall: Zubuchon Lechon

What started as a simple business venture seems to be doing quite well now. And what was only available on Sundays at the lobby of Banilad Town Center is now available every day of the week. Zubuchon (Lechon Baboy) was made popular by Anthony Bourdain's visit to Cebu which he described as "the best pig ever". Zubuchon takes pride  in using only natural ingredients and herbs; definitely no MSG or vetsin here. It's been doing quite well and I even hear talks about the opening of not 1 but 2 Zubuchon restaurants in Cebu!

Shopping Bag: Red Rock Deli Potato Chips - Sweet Chili and Sour Cream

It was not by accident that my husband, my daughter, and I stay glued on the television screen yesterday. I've scheduled April 29, 2011 since the Royal Wedding was made official. So it was only natural that I prepare the snacks we were gonna munch on.