Seafood Overdose at Seafood Island!

If I have to choose between pork, beef, chicken or seafood, I would definitely go with the latter. Fish, shells, shrimp, crab , oysters- I love them all! And that include seaweeds too! So, I guess, I really love eating anything edible that the different bodies of water has to offer! :)

So, when we have decided to eat lunch earlier at Seafood Island in SM Manila, I was really excited! I really love eating at Seafood Island!

For our lunch, we ordered one of their Boodle Feasts, the Tali Beach! Tali Beach costs P1,098.00 good for 3 to 4 pax and P1,550.00 if you opted for an order that can accommodate 5 to 6 persons. We ordered for 3 to 4 pax  since there were only three of us!

Tali Beach at P 1,098.00

An order of Tali Beach consists of steamed Crab ( 1 piece ), steam white shrimps (4 pcs.), sauteed tahong (around 6 to 8 pcs.), 1 piece grilled tilapia, 1grilled squid, chicken inasal, pork barbecue, served with steamed white rice sprinkled with small dried dilis. The grilled eggplant (1 pc), grilled tomatoes (2 pcs), lato (a kind of seaweed),  and watermelon completed this boodle feast! 

Top view of the Tali Beach!

Another view from the top! :)

Everything in this feast definitely tastes great. Everything is cooked and served fresh! Yummy! Sa presentation pa lang, panalo na! Siguradong gaganahan ka! :) And with this feast, parang feeling mo, talagang nasa tabing dagat ka, summer na summer lang ang peg! Love it! 

With my officemate and foodie buddy, ate Arlene...

Want proof that we really enjoyed our lunch? Here it is... to see is to believe,  right?! hahahaha! Di kami gutom te! :) Parang binagyo lang! lol!

Tali Beach after we feasted on it! :)

We would definitely go back, I would definitely keep on coming back to this diner! It might be a little pricey, but what the heck, we all deserve to feast every now and then! :)

Seafood Island has many other boodle feast options on their menu, do try them out. Aside from boodle feasts, they also offer ala carte on their menu. Check their social media pages to know more of their latest offers! :)

Beat the Heat with Mega Prime Corn Ice Pops!

Sino nga ba ang hindi nakakaramdam ng matinding init ng panahon ngayon?! Sobrang intense ng init di ba?! This is the very reason why many of us prefer to stay indoors, enjoying the cold atmosphere that the air-con brings. And this is most especially true during daytime.

But wait, it is summer! Are we supposed to just let this season pass by? Of course not! We need to find a way to beat the heat!

Luckily for all of us, Mega Prime have came up with an easy-to-prepare dessert that will surely help us solve our problem - the Mega Prime Corn Ice Pops! Sounds yummy, right?! It is a cool treat that is made of easy to find ingredients, such as the new Mega Prime Cream Style Corn!

Excited ka na ba to learn the recipe? Actually, I have already tried this recipe, and now I am sharing the step-by-step procedures of how to make the Mega Prime Corn Ice Pops!

The New Mega Prime Corn Products

Mega Prime Corn Ice Pops

Ingredients:

1/4 cup water
1 pack plain gelatin
1/2 cup condensed milk
1/2 cup coconut cream
1 can 425g Mega Prime Cream Style Corn

Procedures:

In a pot, pour 1/4 cup of water and 1 pack plain gelatin.

Mix well until gelatin granules are dissolved.

Heat dissolved gelatin mixture and pour in the rest of the ingredients.

Last but definitely not the least that I pour in the mixture is the Mega Prime Cream Style Corn.

Mix the mixture well and let it simmer.

The mixture is now starting to simmer! Remember, do not let the mixture simmer or cook for too long! Once it simmer, remove the pot from the stove and let it cool. Again, do not take much time cooling the mixture as the gelatin moulds so fast!

Pour the cooled mixture to the ice pop moulds/maker.

Then place it in the refrigerator and let it chill overnight! I placed mine inside the freezer, though. :) And look, I am able to make extra ice pops (ice cream cone ice pops)!

Mega Prime Corn Ice Pops!

Renee Joy & Reena Joy enjoying their Corn Ice Pops!

At first, I really had a hard time popping the ice pops out of the container. But thankfully, I immediately learned that all it needed is a little shake, tap and knock for the ice pops to easily come out! Success! :)

The Verdict

So how's the taste?! If you're going to ask my panganay, she would say that the taste is okay as she is somehow a fan of corn. She was able to finish her share of the ice pop but she definitely wouldn't want to have another one!

But if you are going to ask my bunso, she doesn't like it that much. Not only is she not fond of corn, she also find the gelatin in the ice pop so odd. She was only able to eat a little bit of her ice pop, one to two bites, I think. 

As for me, the ice pop is okay. It reminded me of maja blanca, a cold or frozen maja blanca! :) So I guess,  based on our reactions and observations, this cool treat can be enjoyed more by adults, rather than the kids. So a big hurray for all the adults out there! Now, we can finally beat the heat!

Our Dining Experience at Texas Roadhouse in Uptown Mall

Still in celebration of the New Year, last January 2, our family - the Bahala Gang, decided to check out the Uptown Mall in BGC. Although the mall was already open as early as last year (don't know the exact date of the mall's opening), it was only then that we got the chance to visit the place.

Still very much with Christmas spirit, the whole ambience of the mall was very festive, and of course, elegant. Just look at the Christmas tree! We did not really let the chance to have our photo with the Christmas tree pass. It was so beautiful and grand!

The Bahala Gang at the Uptown Mall Christmas tree!

While searching for a place to dine, we came across Texas Roadhouse. And as we find the resto unique and appealing, we decided to try what's on their menu.

The Bahala Cowboys 

While waiting for our table to be ready, we entertained ourselves by taking photos using the available cowboy hats at the entrance. Oh, and there is also a toy horse at the entrance which my girls tried to ride on. 

The Bahala Cowgirls

The place is very spacious and has a very relaxing atmosphere. Despite the many diners, you will never feel that the place was really crowded. Thanks to the nice interior and lighting of the resto!

Cheeky Girls 

Yay! We were finally seated! :D

Once seated, they already served us with these yummy complimentary buns with cinnamon-flavored butter...

And then the complimentary peanuts followed... 

Despite being very dry, the peanuts really tasted good! We were even joking around that time as we already seem to be full with all the complimentary food they are serving, "Tara, uwi na tayo. Busog na tayo eh!" (Let us go home as we are already full!) hahahaha

But of course, we did not leave the place. Baka habulin kami ng steak knife! hahahaha

So, here are what we ordered for dinner!

Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs(Full Slab)

The Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs is really a must-try! Tasty, tender, it was really a hit both for adults and the kids!

Grilled Shrimps Skewers

The Grilled Shrimps is another favorite too! It tastes really fresh and juicy! Yum, yum!

Oven Roasted Chicken

And of course, we also ordered the kids' all-time favorite - chicken!

We also ordered two types of salad - Caesar Salad, and the other which has mango in it. Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos as we already started digging the moment the salad plate was put on our table! (Di naman halatang gutom na kami! lol) 

Salad

Garlic Rice

Again, unfortunately, I was not able to take note of the prices of the food that we ordered. I kept the receipt but I accidentally lost it. Sorry! But as far as I can recall, our total bill that night amounted to more than five thousand pesos. Not bad for a group of 8, right?! But because I got myself a BFF, we were able to avail of a 30% discount! Yey!

Want to know more about my new BFF? Will tell more about it on a separate post!:D

choose your pick! Their steaks are freshly hand-cut everyday! :D

Overall, we really enjoyed our dining experience at Texas Roadhouse. Nothing really beats good food, nice place and great company, can't wait to be back again! 

Texas Roadhouse is located at the 4/F Uptown Mall, 11th Dr, Taguig, Metro Manila. They are open from 11 AM till 1AM everyday. If you wish to contact them, you can reach them at this no: (02) 7762654. You can also check them out thru their facebook on this link: https://www.facebook.com/TexasRoadhousePH/

But hey, before checking out their page, do check out more photos of the Bahala Gang below! Happy reading and viewing! :D

My Family

The Cheeky Girls with their Tito Kit!

But wait, Texas Roadhouse has another good news to its clienteles - a new branch has opened in G/F S Maison Mall in Conrad Manila! Go, visit this branch the soonest! Ciao! :D

Experience Great Food and History at Casa Roces!

Last Tuesday, November 8, 2016, after conducting a hearing at the Women's Correctional in Mandaluyong City, as suggested by my officemate, we had our lunch at Casa Roces. 

I was really excited as it is really not everyday that I got the chance to enter the vicinity of the Malacañan Palace, much more, to dine in one of the most famous restaurant in the area - Casa Roces. It was actually my first time to visit the place! 

Casa Roces

Casa Roces is a full-service restaurant and café located in the genteel district of San Miguel, Manila, right across the most prestigious address in the country: Malacañan Palace. The place is actually an ancestral home which was transformed into a stylish restaurant best described as classic-meets-contemporary.

Entrance to the Restaurant

Classic furnitures add to the elegance of the resto!

So lucky to have the place all to ourselves! Well, almost! :)

The ground floor of Casa Roces features a coffeehouse with an outdoor wooden deck, a dessert bar, and a memorabilia and accessories shop. A bar also serves cocktails, wine, beer and liquor for evening patrons. 

These cakes are really inviting, but I'm just not much of a sweets person.

Cafe and Bar

Although we are not really able to explore the second floor, it actually has a bistro, an art and family heritage gallery as well as private rooms decorated with a mix of Commonwealth elegance and modern flair. And as what my boss told us, the second floor also serve as a function room for intimate events. They actually had their Christmas Party there once. 

So much on the place. Let us now go to my favorite part - the FOOD! :)

Kape Chino

Kape Chino was named after the late great Joaquin “Chino” Roces. It offers a complete menu line-up ranging from appetizers, soups and salads to entrées, pasta and even breakfast and merienda fare. Hot and cold beverages, specialty coffees, espresso-based drinks, desserts, cakes and pastries, and light deli sandwiches are also available. 

Here are what we had for lunch:

Sopa Molo Castiliana

Sopa Molo Castiliana is a rich garlic soup with deep-fried pork dumplings, poached egg and parsley. This soup really tastes good. The dumplings are really yummy. I really wanted to have another serving, but of course, I have to save some space still in my tummy as there are still more foods to try! :) 

A solo serving of the soup costs P 115.00 while the large serving (good for 3) costs P210.00. 

Pollo Iberico

Pollo Iberico is a slow roasted chicken with potatoes, garlic, herbs and olive oil. For the chicken lovers (who's not anyway?), this is a must try! The chicken was well cooked. The vegetables are fresh and crispy. And the potatoes- I just love the baby potatoes! Buttered and roasted just right, I almost ate all the potatoes on the plate! :D What I just don't like much are the herbs as I find them somehow overpowering for my taste. I did not hear a single complain from my companions, though. So, I guess its just me who had  herb issue. hehehe....

Half order of this menu costs P520.00 while a whole roasted chicken costs P800.00.

Oven-Baked Salmon Wellington

For our seafood dish, I opted for Oven-Baked Salmon Wellington. It is actually a salmon fillet stuffed with Boursin cheese in flaky crusty crust with spinach lemon cream sauce. This is another dish that I really enjoyed. You can really taste the freshness of the fish, and the mashed potato, it is definitely one of the great tasting mashed potato that I've tasted! It is really delicious! How I wish I was able to take home some. 

An order of this menu costs P460.00.

Ox Tail Kare- Kare

Last but definitely not the least because this is one of my all-time favorite, is the Ox Tail Kare-Kare! For those who are not familiar with this menu, it is actually braised ox tail in peanut with vegetables with sautéed shrimps paste. Some prefer using beef meat, and some pork pata, but for me, it doesn't really matter. I love all of them! :)

And as expected, this menu did not fail my taste buds! The meat (ox tail) was tender, the vegetables are just cooked right, the sauce was deliciously creamy and the paste was perfect! I really wish I doubled this order! hahaha!

An order of Kare-kare costs P380.00.

We really enjoyed our lunch at Kape Chino. Aside from great food, we really love the whole look and vibe of Casa Roces! I do hope to come back again soon!

Casa Roces is open daily from 10AM to 10PM to serve its loyal patrons and those who are hoping to experience the history and the luxury of the place for the first time. And did I mention that the service is great too?!

So go ahead and experience Casa Roces for yourselves. It also offers some promos and treats especially during special occasions, so do visit their page from time to time. You can also contact them at these numbers: (02)735.5896, (02)488.1929 and (0917)550.9743 for more inquiries.

Sunrio Diner: A Hello Kitty- Themed Resto in Taguig

 

As a Hello Kitty fan, ever since the Hello Kitty Cafe started popping up in malls and other locations, I have been wanting to try it ASAP, but I just can't get the chance to do so because they are not strategically near my place. But fortunately,  I've learned that they will be opening a store in Uptown Mall, or is it open already? This I'll have to find out, soon! :)

So, when I've learned about the opening of a Hello Kitty- themed diner in our place, I immediately convinced my husband to try the place. 

And so, last October 16, 2016, after hearing the mass, and in celebration of an important milestone in my first born, we proceeded to Sunrio Diner just in time for dinner! The diner opens at 3:00 in the afternoon and closes at 10:00 in the evening. 

The diner is located at the 2nd floor of a three-storey house located at Blk. 18, Lot 35, Pinagsama Village, Phase 2, Western Bicutan, Taguig City. 

Entrance going to the diner

Stairs going to the 2nd Floor...

At the second floor, this is what will welcome you.

This area serves to be the main attraction of the diner. This is where most of the customers take their selfie shots. I find this spot cute and I really want to take home the sofa! :)

Hello Kitty is somehow synonymous to the color PINK (Although, in the early years of the Hello Kitty craze, majority was red. I even remember owning one when I was still very young.), so it is really expected that diner will be dominantly pink! From the wall, the furnitures, fixtures, and even the utensils - they are all pink! Oh, this place is really heaven for a Hello Kitty and Pink fan like me! Well, almost.

Kitchen and counter area

I really like their idea of having the customers see how their orders were prepared. This way, you can be assured that your food is clean and safe to eat. :)

pink table and chairs

The diner, I think, has around 5 to 6 tables, which can accommodate more or less 24 customers at a time. So, if you really want to be seated and served immediately, better come early in the afternoon or very late in the evening.

the bathroom...

Menu

For our meal, we ordered the following:

Strawberry Frappe for P 55.00

Bolognese Pasta at P99.00

Strawberry Pancake for P75.00

Charmmy Kitty for P99.00

Chibby Maru for P99.00

My Melody for P79.00

Yna with her Strawberry Pancake

Yna with her Strawberry Frappe

So, the verdict?! We all find the food a little too sweet for our taste. Yes, all the food that we ordered. My daughter was not able to finish her pancakes and strawberry frappe. And although we are all able to consume the rest of our orders, there is really nothing exceptional with the taste of the burgers. The only thing that we really enjoyed was the pasta, maybe because it was still hot when it was served :) 

In terms of the prices, I really find it a little bit pricey considering the location. We paid the total amount of P506.00 for snack/early dinner. How I wish they would lower the price even for just a little. Well, this is just me, just my opinion. Because honestly, after trying it the first time, we no longer have plans of coming back. But for the first timers, especially for the Hello Kitty fanatics out there (and especially if you are just near the vicinity), go ahead and try this place. Cute naman yung place, eh. Although, again, I really hope that from time to time, they do update their diner so as to have something new to offer to their customers from time to time. :)

Oh, by the way, they have their Facebook page, so if you have some queries, do visit their social media page: https://www.facebook.com/Sunrio-diner-1124753174266204/.

Till next time! Ciao!

Team Bahala! :D