Jampacked Schedule for Dodong and I!

Dodong is now officially back in the desert That was quick or what? Literally isang linggong pag-ibig as Dodong only spent 7 days here in Manila.

It was a crazeeeeeeh BUT super fun week for both of us. It was so tiring that we both ended up like this…

Plastado kami. Deads.

Ok maybe just me because Dodong HATES cats. Hehehe. We were both soooo tired that we spent his last day in Manila sleeping. The summer heat just added more to our exhaustion from errands upon errands, meeting up with friends and spending time with family.

So I am extra happy that later this week, I will get the chance to rest with the Holy Week vacation. The vacay will also give me the time to catch up on blog entries to share a day by day coverage of what Dodong and I have done in the past week. Quite a lot but I am so excited to share our adventures with you But pls do allow me a quick commercial break as I catch up with my 400++ work emails tomorrow I will TRY. Operative word here is TRY as I think my head and heart is still with Dodong. Hehehe! Sorry work!

More Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig posts:

Martes at Manang's

Hungry Huwebes at Lolo Dad 6750's Steak All You Can

Bridal Biyernes

Lamon Linggo at The Hyatt's Lili Dimsum Buffet

Ana Olson for AFC

It was quite a pleasant surprise that though schedules were moved around yesterday (even if one of my pet peeves is a messy schedule), it turned out quite well. Chef Bruce Lim and his wonderful wife, Michelle, invited me to join them as they graced the Ana Olson culinary demonstration (c/o Asian Food Channel) at Greenbelt 5.

I've always been a sucker to (at least) seeing and meeting celebrity chefs because I do love watching cooking shows! But when I saw that the event had THIS, I knew Dodong would have a blast if he was with me. Guess what THIS was…

Pot Roast!

Of course, FREE FOOD! Hehehe! It was like watching Ana Olson's cooking show with the food just magically jumping off the screen.

Ana Olson prepared a Christmas feast for the afternoon: Pot Roast with a Mustard Glaze, Roasted Root Vegetables (Squash, Carrots and Potatoes), Butter Tart and Homemade Ice Cream. Yummmeeeeehhh…

Yum...Buttery tart crusts...

Wee Canadian Flags for Canadian Chef Ana Olson!

The Pot Roast really made me wish that Dodong was here. He lovesssss PORK! I guess since pork is a bit of a luxury in the Muslim country of UAE. Hehehe.

A culinary demonstration date would be a great way to meet chefs, learn new recipes & cooking techniques, plus score FREE food! Isn't it such a cheap and cool date?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Show me some love at Caffe Ti Amo

My boss is one of the brilliant minds working behind the scenes of the new coffee-gelato shop in Greenbelt 5, Caffe Ti Amo. So yesterday, amidst the flurry of presentations and meetings, we decided to have our meeting at Caffe Ti Amo as the team has not had the chance to drop by…

I came in early (as usual) and I was starving (as usual). And so I decided to order one of the dishes that my boss kept raving about because her praises of the dish really kept me wondering…

Caffe Ti Amo's Honey Bread (Php 120)

Obviously, I am still very much in love with my new phone, the Galaxy S, as I keep on using the Vignette app for my photos. Cool ba? I digress…so now onto the Honey Bread.

Honey Bread is a thick slice of Japanese style white bread (Does anybody know the difference of Japanese bread? Aside from the thickness of the slice and the airiness of the dough…), dipped in butter and cinnamon batter and freshly baked / toasted in an oven (versus being panfried like French Toast). The bread slice is topped with 2 scoops of your choice of gelato flavor and blueberry preserves. I chose the bestselling dark chocolate mint and pistachio gelato to pair with my Honeybread.

Because I also wanted our teammates from the agency to try Caffe Ti Amo's treats, I ordered two savory waffles to go: Four Cheese and Italian Herb.

Savory Waffle Duet - Four Cheese Flavor (Php 130)

The savory waffle has two sizes: solo and duet. The duet, though made for two, can actually feed four people! The bread is quite heavy like you ate a rock but only with the savory cheese and herby aftertaste. I only wished that you can pair the savory waffle with gelato, so that it could be a interplay between salty and then sweet. Unfortunately, you'd have to order gelato separately, which I obviously did not do. Buti na lang because we had to change venues for our meeting.

I'd really love for Dodong to check out Caffe Ti Amo with me when he gets back…SOON. (Btw, he's not coming home this Christmas.) It actually is a nice place to chit chat and hang out. A mix between a coffee shop and a chic boutique hotel. I think I would order an Italian Herb waffle to share with him…perhaps with an order of dark chocolate gelato on the side.

Have you tried to Caffe Ti Amo in Greenbelt5 as well?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Caffe Ti Amo is located at the ground floor of Greenbelt 5, right across Mango and behind Tickles in Greenbelt 1. They also have branches in SM Manila and SM City. But the Greenbelt branches are more accessible to Makati rats like me. Hihi.

P.P.S. Just to disclose, I paid for my Honeybread and waffle ok? Hehe.

It's all about the chicken...

I was lucky enough to be at the right time on Facebook when Anton Diaz posted a First Taste event for Wee Nam Kee, Manila. Wee Nam Kee is one of the most popular Hainanese Chicken Rice places in Singapore. I've never been to Singapore, but I know that Wee Nam Kee is worth a try.

So earlier this afternoon, me and my girls traveled to Ayala Triangle Park to taste some wunnerful Wee Nam Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice…

The Wee Nam Kee First Taste Menu cost us Php 350 / person. Not bad as we got to enjoy a glass of Barley juice (no lemon slice and barley grains – boo.), heaping cup of Hainanese Chicken Rice (plate was a tad bit small though)

Missing the lemon and barley grains here...

Steamed Chicken and Roasted Chicken

Juicy steamed and roasted Hainanese chicken

Hainanese Chicken Sauce: Sweet Dark Soy Sauce, Grated Ginger and Fermented Chili

Steamed kailan

Veggies for Good Health! Looks oily but really is not...

Kangkong sambal

The kangkong looks sad, right?

Cereal prawns

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!!!!

I could eat this every morning! I finished the whole mountain of cereals!

I’ve always wanted to go to Singapore and just eat, eat, eat! Dodong and I were supposed to swing to Singapore last year, but I had to cancel the trip due to budget constraints My fault! So I guess Wee Nam Kee, Manila would be enough to get a taste of Singapore the next time Dodong comes home…SOON!

Check out what Wee Nam Kee, Manila has to offer by clicking on the images below:

Wee Nam Kee is now officially OPEN! Visit it at its 1st branch located at the Ayala Triangle Park, Makati CBD, Philippines

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

A late yet messy and fun birthday celebration!

I wasn't able to celebrate celebrate my birthday on the exact day. It was a Monday and I just so busy that I had to schedule my mini-celebration with my equally food loving officemates (and now good friends) at the much raved about Isabelo Garden Restaurant in Marikina.

They actually surprised me 1st with a yummy (but messed up) caramel birthday cake from Estrel's, a topsy turvy start (because desserts do come last right?) to the great meal ahead of us (WARNING: Food porn ahead).

The sad thing was I was not able to take pictures of the ambiance of Isabelo (which was sooooo cozy and romantic) because we were just sooooooo hungry. Hehehe! But *sigh* the dimmed lights and the garden just made me miss Dodong on my birthday celebration. So what did we eat?

We started out with the Spinach Artichoke dip, which was warm and comforting after a tiring day at work. It looked sinfully rich and creamy but surprisingly it was light, a bit tangy. I think this was the bestseller of the night because we just literally licked the bowl clean!

Spinach Artichoke Dip with toast rounds

Then we tried a bowl of Minestrone soup. It was served very hot, I think a must for any hot soup. Good but not spectacular.

Minestrone Soup

Of course, there must be a salad in between. So I pre-ordered the Pinoy Tuscan salad, fresh tomatoes with a honey-balsamic vinegar dressing, sprinkled with basil strips plus toast rounds on the side. This was also a bestseller! We almost licked the dressing off the plate, but unfortunately Isabelo's server plucked the off our table

Pinoy Tuscan Salad

And then we had a feast with the main courses:

Lemon Shrimp Linguine

Roasted Orange Chicken

Roasted Pork Crackling with 4 Sauces: Vinegar (apple cider?), Mango Chutney, Apple Sauce and a chunky Tomato Sauce

Lemon Parslied Garlic Rice paired with the Chicken and Roast Pork Crackling

The verdict: YUM! The lemon shrimp linguine looked deceivingly creamy but it was so light to the taste and on the tummy. We especially loved Isabelo's roast chicken (which we 6 hungry girls finished!) with the squash, carrots and potatoes absorbing all the citrusy juices from the chicken. While the roast pork crackling was also yummy (best paired with the mango chutney…we thought this was the best sauce!), the skin was just too tough. We were also grateful to have listened to Isabelo's chef extraordinaire's recommendation to pair the chicken and pork with the lemon parslied garlic rice, instead of the Italian paella.

We were so full and groggy from all the food that we forgot to take pictures of dessert! The second one for the night after slices of Estrel's caramel cake It's best to cap off the Isabelo Garden Restaurant meal with their refreshing sorbets. We ordered the Watermelon sorbet, which needed a squeeze of lemon juice to totally elevate the flavors.

With our palettes cleansed and tummies overflowing with Isabelo love, BURP! Hehehe! I was just overflowing with love that night…BUT of course, it would have overflowed some more if Dodong was there. Hay.

In the next homecoming, I'd definitely bring Dodong and perhaps my family to Isabelo's Garden Restaurant. I am already planning my menu for that day. Hehehe!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. I took all pictures by myself with the help of my unnamed Lumix LX3 I love taking food shots! So happy!

Gloomy days in Thunderbird Poropoint are not good

It's been two weeks but I've been replaying Thunderbird Poropoint in my head for the past days. It's been a hell of a stressful week, even if it was my birthday, so daydreaming of Thunderbird Poropoint is indeed a welcome break.

Here are the things to do in Thunderbird Poropoint which I've been daydreaming about…

#1: Surfing idly on the Internet

Internet pa din?!?

I just love the Internet and all the places you can go to. What better way to relax than to idly surf across the world wide web with Thunderbird Poropoint's FREE WIFI! Wooohoooo! It's for free!

#2: Enjoying the Thunderbird Poropoint signature massage

Promo rates until September 30, 2010 only!

For me, another perfect way to relax is to get a good massage. Dodong and I decided to enjoy a massage in our room. Thank God Thunderbird Poropoint had promo rates, which are until the end of this month. Make sure to check our the signature Zaphira massage, which was specially designed for Thunderbird Poropoint.

#3: Watching TV / DVDs in the hotel room

Do you follow?

Each hotel room has a nice high tech flat screen TV and DVD player. And unfortunately for me, who is inexperienced with the technology, I had a hard time configuring the controls. Even if they had instructions, it was just too complicated. I wish flat screen TVs were as simple as normal TVs.

#4: Bird watching  within the resort premises

Check out them birds inside...

Yes, you can actually bird watch in your free time. Thunderbird Poropoint provides guests with a bird watching pamphlet in the room to help you identify the cute little creatures flying around the resort area. Sounds pretty cool, especially if we had more time…

#5: Biking in and around Thunderbird Poropoint

Bicycles!

Thunderbird Poropoint has a couple of bicycles parked in front of the resort lobby for the use of the guests. A good way to burn those calories from pigging out in the breakfast buffet. Hehehe!

Hay. Can't wait for our next vacation! Where kaya? Hmmm…daydream again

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

I'm soooooooopeeeeer excited to watch Going the Distance! I've posted this movie trailer last June here and it's already showing here in the Philippines! Gosh it took 3-months of hype hype hype to get to FINALLY see it! Weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Dodong and I are watching later this evening It's been quite awhile since we last watched a movie together. Hehehe!

Yey! I'm so super duper excited! Will we be able to relate kaya?

Love the Distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Fresh, yummy seafood dishes na friendly sa bulsa

Meals at Thunderbird Poropoint were a bit pricey, so Dodong and I set our sights out into the local flavors of San Fernando, La Union. Good thing that his friend Jeff, local surfer extraordinaire, was there to lead the way  to Surfer's Retreat Restaurant

It was a bit tricky getting there. The rain was pouring like mad plus it was pitch dark along the National Highway. You might miss the restaurant's sign that looks like this:

Notice the signboard is actually a recycled surfboard. Hehe!

Upon entering the rustic bahay kubo of a place, choose your order on the menu board. Literally a board with a cute surfer boy in the background

Nakakadistract ang cute surfer butt?

Sadly, I wasn't able to take a picture of my super yummy Tuna Steak. Obviously sobrang SARAP! or was I really that hungry?!? We even order it as pulutan and I still was not able to take a photo. Have you tried any other dishes here? Dodong says his adobong pusit (squid) was quite good…but bitin for a hungry man like him.

I think I was not able to take a photo of my order because of this…

Ito ang TAMA!

Sa lakas ng tama, I was knocked out literally when we got back to Thunderbird Poropoint. I slept at 9PM! My gash! So sad I was not able to enjoy the evening beachy breeze from the balcony. Hay.

I wish we could return to Surfer's Retreat Restaurant to have some more seafood and beer! Hehehe!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Haaaay. Rest and Relaxation!

Last long weekend, Dodong and I kinda (it was a bit stressful…the trip had its moments) relaxed in two locations: The Manor Baguio and Thunderbird Poropoint, La Union. I had a blast with the much needed quality time spent together. But I do want to show a head-to-head comparison of these two destinations.

How did they fare against each other as homecoming date locations? Here are some points to consider…

The Effective Cost per Head per Night

The Manor, Baguio wins on this one at Php 2,900 per room / night = Php 1,450 per head. The room fits two adults and perhaps 1 child (which we do not have BTW). Though note that this is not inclusive of breakfast. Read on to explain why The Manor Baguio wins on the breakfast end of things.

On the other hand, Thunderbird Poropoint costs Php 7,000 per room / night = Php 3,500. The room could actually fit two adults and two children OR four adults (which would cost you an additional Php 1,000 per head including breakfast already). Not bad right? The cost per room at Thunderbird Poropoint  is inclusive of "complimentary" breakfast buffet.

The Sweet Little Surprises

Thunderbird Poropoint gets plus points for sweet surprises like a welcome drink…

Welcome drink...tasted like powdered juice though.

and a cold towelette when you check in, plus chocolate kisses (which I am not sure if these were made by the hotel kitchen…whatchathink?).

Chocolate Kisses inside!

The Toilet

They both have clean bathrooms. Duh! But this time Thunderbird Poropoint gets plus points for the bidet! Sadly, The Manor Baguio's toilet (at least in our room) didn't have one. Hehehe! Whoops! Sorry I did not take a picture of the toilet. Pretty gross to put on my blog ba?

The Ambiance

The Manor Baguio is a great place for relaxing by virtue of the location in the summer capital of the Philippines. So the cool weather (perfect for strutting your winter collection wardrobe) can really make you lethargic. However, the Manor is quite busy since it is quite close to the city or perhaps it was because it was a long weekend?

Dami tao strolling around the garden

The isolation of Thunderbird Poropoint makes it better for rest and relaxation. It is really a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. I prefer this one over the latter.

The Amenities

The Manor Baguio is packed with amenities like an in-house spa, jacuzzi, a common fireplace as seen in the post here.

But Thunderbird Poropoint is a runaway winner in this aspect. Aside from the beach, they also have a large pool! If you cross the pool, it's about 25 meters long. Perfect for working out! Just like what Dodong and I did. Oh okay, I think my workout failed because I was bitten by some insect Excuses!

The beach and the pool at Thunderbird Poropoint...Raining

Thunderbird Poropoint also houses a basketball court, a bar (one near the restaurant and one inside the pool) and a casino (which we weren't able to visit) with 24-7 restaurants.

The Breakfast Buffet

Cost per head at The Manor is Php 550, while at Thunderbird Poropoint is Php 580. I think that The Manor's breakfast buffet is more sulit with the quality of food the kitchen churns out. Imagine freshly baked breads each and every morning!

Bread station Weeeeee!

Thunderbird Poropoint's breads were definitely not freshly baked I would have thought that I'd be getting more quality for +Php 30…but sadly, no. Although, the eggs are bigger at Thunderbird Poropoint. Hehehe! Check out the pics to compare:

Runny scrambled eggs from Thunderbird Poropoint's egg station

Runny scrambled eggs from The Manor Baguio's egg station...smaller di ba?

Which one is my fave? Hmmmmm…I'd say that for overall quality time and rest and relaxation purposes I would go for Thunderbird Poropoint (even though it is a bit more expensive).

If you were to go on a homecoming date, which hotel would you choose?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. If you plan to pass through the SCTEX going back to Manila, do not pass here via Tarlac City diversion road in the afternoon. Lots of schools along the way so expect traffic!

P.P.S.Did you like the photos? Better ba?

Homecoming Date Clue. Can you guess where we are?

I can't believe Dodong's two week homecoming is already half way! Darn! But I am savoring each and every second. I need to fill up the reserve before he leaves noh.

This looooooong weekend we are spending our time together in somewhere both hot AND cold. Can you guess where?

I know I shouldn't be posting and really just enjoy solid quality time. Hehehe! But I just can't help but share the love.

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay