It’s Italian Pasta for Dinner!

I love noodle dishes – stir-fried, with soup, in red sauce, or maybe cream, even curry sauce, with plain diced tomatoes, vegetables, meatballs, or loaded with seafood, sweet, spicy, or even a bit salty.  There’s so many ways to enjoy noodles! 

Amici di Don Bosco is very near our office that’s why it’s one of our most frequented places whenever we crave for some yummy pasta experience – and more!

These dishes brought me joy for dinner……

Spaghetti al Pomodoro (Php175)

I love Amici’s classic Italian noodles in their rich tomato sauce.  It looks plain and simple but this basic pasta dish is so flavorful and satisfying.  I love adding a dash of chili flakes for just a bit of spice. 

Linguine Al Pesto Genovese (Php195)

This creamy pesto pasta is so good!  It’s bursting with basil flavor goodness that will keep you craving for more.  Some potatoes and green beans are served with the dish and the pesto sauce works well with them, too.

What complements their pasta more but……

Tutta Carne Pizza (Php295)

Italian sausage, pepperoni and ham tossed in a bed of flavorful pizza sauce and cheese.  Yummy!  But what I really love about their pizza is the thin delicious crust. I shouldn’t  finish this entire serving but…..

Oh, it’s always wise to save some space in your tummy for dessert because Caramia Gelateria’s selection is filled with delectable choices like….

Peach Walnut Passion (Php95/slice)

I first tasted this cake during an officemate’s birthday celebration and I liked the peach flavored gelato filling.  This time, I was able to appreciate its other winning factor – the crisp walnut crust.

Merry Berries (Php95/slice)

Blueberry and strawberry gelato!  Who can say no to that?  I love the sweetness and “berriness” of this one.  Fresh fruits and white chocolate add texture and character in this dessert.  Tip – dish the fork and use a spoon.  I almost forgot that it’s a cake until I tasted the crust of crushed graham.  It’s a real yummy treat!

Check them out:

Amici, Don Bosco

Don Bosco Makati

1299 Arnaiz Ave. corner Chino Roces Ave.

Makati

Also @

Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati

SM Megamall Atrium, Mandaluyong

Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa

Tomas Morato, Quezon City

Big Daddy's Chicken Rocks!

We were craving for fried chicken.  But every fastfood restaurant in SM’s Mall of Asia was filled to the brim – must be because it’s payday.  I was ready to change my craving from chicken to pasta when we passed by Big Daddy’s Chicken right in front of the side entrance of the bowling center.  Their tagline: Taiwan’s Famous Crispy Chicken Chop.  Hmmm…it already sounds yummy…

Though hesitant at first (because no one was dining at that time), we decided to give Big D’s chicken a try.  Upon entering their cute little stall, I almost drooled over with the mere aroma of whatever they’re cooking (obviously chicken).  It smelled heavenly inside! 

A big menu board (with pictures) made it easier for us to decide on what to order.  Just a few items in the selection – chicken chop, pork chop, spiral potato, and drinks.  They offer combo meals that consist of either a chicken or pork chop with rice or carbonara.  You can also choose the flavor of your chop – original, spicy, lemon, plum and nori.  Isn’t this exciting?

There were around 5-6 tables outside and while we were waiting for our order, more people started to check out Big D’s.  The orange and yellow-themed chairs complemented the over-all happy theme of the place and it was the topic of our conversation while we were waiting for our chops.

Finally…….

Big Daddy’s Chicken Chop original with rice and soup (Php 95)

 The Chicken Chop chili-flavored

African Red Bush Tea (Php 30)

We love the chops!  The crispy light coating is so flavorful.  The chili-flavored chop had just a hint of spice in it – I wish they make it spicier.  The meat is actually chicken breast without the skin (plus points for the health-conscious).  Coming from a fastfood, the meat is equally tasty and surprisingly juicy.  There’s no need for gravy or even the sweet-chili sauce that they provide.  Each serving of this chicken fillet is big enough to satisfy one hungry tummy but it tastes so addictively good that it won’t be a surprise if you’d want to order a second chop.  Or you can order for a chicken chop only!  It’s packaged in a small paper bag and they will provide a wooden stick so you can enjoy it while strolling around the mall.

I love it when restaurants have fewer food selections.  It gives me the impression that I will get my money’s worth because they stick to offering their specialty.  And that’s exactly what I got from Big D’s Chicken!  The prices are really affordable – just about the same as the chicken meals in the other fastfood restaurants but the taste is so different.  We were told that it’s a popular food item in Taiwan and I’m not one bit surprised about it.  We’ll definitely come back to try the other chop flavors…and the pork chops, too!

Check them out:

Big Daddy’s Chicken

SM Mall of Asia

Ground Floor, Entertainment Mall

Also @

Greenhills Theater Mall

Ground Floor, Food Court

Yummy Grilled Lunch!

There are days when you want to treat yourself to a really nice lunch but you get too lazy to dress up and eat out or you can't bear the long wait for food delivery.  So, what can you do?  I'd say, go raid your ref and take out all the best stuff you can find and have a yummy grilled lunch just like what we did over the weekend!

Ribs just the way you want it cooked

Yummy shrimps lightly drenched in butter and garlic

I love this Oster electric grill (http://www.oster.ca/products.aspx?pgid=1169)

These tomatoes don't just add color to a meal, they're also fortified with vitamin C!

Eat all the beef yakiniku I want

Who wouldn't enjoy a feast like this especially if it's prepared by your boyfriend? (",)

New Taxi Metering System in Manila

Commuting by taxi in Manila today is about 33% more expensive than it used to be.  The new flagdown rate is Php40 - a big leap from the old P30 rate.  From the previous Php2.50 rate for every succeeding 300 meters, today's rate has increased to Php3.50.

The new taxi meters also dispense receipts but you might have to remind the driver about it.  It makes us somehow at par with other more developed countries who adapt the same honest metering system and it's a great move to make sure taxi operators pay their taxes, too.

From my usual Php70 taxi fare every morning, I now have to pay around Php90 to get to work.  It's hurting my pocket and affecting my weekly budget that I have to seriously consider taking the long route jeepney rides to save money.  I felt bad at first but then realized that some good can come out of it like the additional steps I can literally take because I need to walk about four blocks to get to the jeepney stop.  That's about 900 steps everyday - yes, I've counted it with a pedometer (",)  And with the new metering machine and system, there'd hopefully be less incidents of taxi drivers taking advantage of their passengers and charging more than what they're due.

Craving for Cherry Garcia

What's your favorite ice cream?  (",)

When I was still in school, birthday celebrations are my most anticipated days of the year simply because I knew I can have as much ice cream as I want!  I remember growing up with the basic ice cream flavors - chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mango and ube.  I guess those were the only available flavors back then... and my mother's favorites, too.  

Fast forward.....oh my, who wouldn't go crazy with all the ice cream flavors available today?  I used to change my list of favorite ice cream flavor maybe every six months until I got a taste of Ben & Jerry's super creamy, mouthwatering and incredibly delicious Cherry Garcia!  I fell in love with it after that first spoonful of serving.  Cherry-flavored ice cream base (yes, it's not vanilla base) with lots of cherries (the fruit and not just some red-colored artificial candy) and chocolate fudge bits (or flakes as they call it).  Heavenly!  I swear I can finish a tub all by myself in one sitting..but that's not really healthy, isn't it?

What's in the name?  Apparently, it's sort of a tribute to rock legend Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist and co-founder of Grateful Dead.  Cool, huh?

Where to get your Cherry Garcia in Manila?  It's a regular item in S & R shopping center (Baclaran, Congressional, Alabang and Global City).  You can also get it from Rustan's grocery but it's pricier there.  In Subic, they have it in Pure Gold.

Don't just take my word for it...try it! (",)  Hmmm, yummy! (",)

Life is beautiful (",)

If we just start to look around and open our eyes, we'll find a whole lot of new reasons to feel blessed and happy...every single day.  There are times when it seems so difficult to smile, to go on with life or to even face other people.  Problems abound and challenges are endless.  But come to think of it, we always manage to find a solution to everything, don't we?

So it's time that we celebrate life...every single day.  Let's discover something new and interesting, rejoice with simple surprises, share love and continue to enjoy and appreciate life.

In this journal, I hope you find something to make you smile.  I hope you find a reason or two to be excited about life.  And I hope you also celebrate a buffet of joy!