Starbucks Pacific Plaza Singapore

No matter where you are, familiar coffee shops are just pure comfort.

While on our stay at the Royal Plaza on Scott, we chanced upon Starbucks Pacific Plaza.

Breakfast meal comes with freshly brewed coffee (starts at Y6.90 per set) 

We ordered  bagel, fluffy egg with turkey ham and cheese sandwich and breakfast pancakes,  plus signature chocolate drinks  for the boys. 

Check this link for more on Starbucks Morning Selections ~Mornings Made Better Selection

For Starbucks Store near your place in Singapore click below ~ Store Locator.

DonnAppetit Garden Grill ~ A Perfect Night Out wth My Girls

Our mission was to find a cozy place, specially different from our usual hang-outs to celebrate a friend's 18th (I know, you know, we both know, but I am not about to post her actual age on blogger now would I?).

 

Tada, our find for tonight is Donn Appetit Garden Grill a home garden restaurant, serving authentic home-cooked grilled dishes.

 

The place was rather small (seats about 40-50 guests), but is aesthetically pleasing, with a well kept garden to boast. 

We especially love the chirping birds as an added touch to complete the ambiance.    

 

 

Unfortunately since we came on a night time, we were not able to fully appreciate Donn Appetit's beautiful garden.

 

 

 

The restaurant is spot clean and although it is an open area, there are surprisingly NO bugs around.

 

Let us check the menu.

 

 

There are plenty of options to choose from, although most are grilled dishes.  Average cost per dish is only P150, really affordable.  One of my girls complained about the small serving size, but I think, it was just right for the price.

 

 

Here is what we ordered...

 

For appetizers, we had Nachos (P150). 

I am not a fan of this one. I find it lacking crispiness, probably a reaction to the rainy and humid weather.  The dip, however, was very good.

 

 

From the Grill, we had Liempo (P130)  

 

 

Baby Back Ribs (P180), which was my favorite among our orders.  The meat was tender and flavorful. We should have ordered more of this. 

 

 

 

And Hungarian Sausage (P75).  I am not a sausage fan, either, but this here (well, more than half) ended on my plate. 

I liked the spiciness of it.  It was really good. 

 

 

 

We also ordered Pancit Bihon (P100) of course, as we were there to celebrate a birthday. 

 

 

 

VERDICT ~ Thumbs up!

• Overall it was a worthwhile discovery.  I would gladly take friends there for a night out over a bottle or two of chilled beer. Unfortunately, we did not have any, as I was driving that night.
• Donn Appetit brags a "homey" garden ambiance, perfect for special occasions. 
• Service is fast considering they prepare your food fresh.  The staff were likewise cordial and cheerful.

 

With my girls :P

 

We finished everything, with only enough space for a cup of coffee (and probably some yummy dessert)!

 

 

DonnAppetit Garden Grill is located at14 Noli Pascual St. Gregoria Heights, San Isidro, Taytay Rizal.  It is a good stop over if you are heading to Antipolo from Manila via Ortigas Extension.

 

For reservation you may call: 570-6117 or 881-8028

Review of Catalan Restaurant and Grill

 

 

Catalan Restaurant and Grill in Taytay is nothing close to a Catalonian (a region in Spain) food and cooking (Catalans are  famous for their cheese, mushroom and spices rich pizza, seafood and tapas),  surprisingly this restaurant is very Filipino, specializing on all time favorite Filipino dishes, such as bulalo, adobo, inasal and more. 

 

 

The restaurant is artsy with wall murals, mosaic decorated tables and floors ~ the decoration kept me occupied, imagining how adorable these tables would look in my kitchen :P

 

 

 

 

There is also a corner dedicated to acoustic nights, perfect for an after dusk “barkada hang-out” and an "unwind night" with your special someone.

 

 

 

We ordered one of locales favorites, "budbod (a local version of fried rice toppings)" and Catalan fruit drinks.

(Shanghai Budbod ~ P69)  - Ang Sarap!  Hefty servings, but we cleaned our plates real good (hahah!)

 

(Mango and Strawberry-banana fruit drinks P75 each) 

 

Catalan offers very affordable meals, yet prepared fresh as you order. Their "Kumpleto Meals" starts at P110 and "Budbod Specials" at P69. 

 

 

Catalan is a true gem waiting to be discovered.  Visit them now or call for a delivery.

Catalan Restaurant and Grill is open daily:

SUNDAY TO THURSDAY 9:00am until 11:00pm
FRIDAY and SATURDAY 9:00am to 1:00am

(Acoustic Nights is every Saturday starting 7pm)

ADDRESS
#48 AMJC Bldg. Ground Floor, National Road (Manila East Road), Brgy. San Juan Sitio Ilog Pugad, Taytay, Rizal

(Near PUREGOLD Taytay, Beside BPI El-Monteverde Branch
Infront of WESTERN UNION)

CONTACT NUMBERS
Landline Number: (02)2345927

Mobile Number: (SMART)09999998777, (SUN)09328778053

  

 

Magnum Manila Review ~ Heaven Sent Dessert

What do you say to a Magnum Bar, with three (3) of your choice toppings, on a super hot afternoon? 

 

It was obviously a big YES (with a huge GRIN) for me and my boys. 

 

I have been wanting to try Magnum Manila's "make-your-own" ice cream bar, but the long queues is such a turn-off.  

 

We were back at SM Aura last week, and the queues were not as long ~ Yipee!

 

 

 A DIY Magnum Bar cost P100. 

 

 

 

After paying, a crew takes in your choices of three (3) toppings...

 

(Tip: There are so many toppings to choose from, if you are not certain, get the toppings labelled "best seller")

 

 

 

 You  would be asked, whether you want a vanilla or a chocolate bar; and preference of chocolate coating: dark chocolate, white chocolate or milk chocolate.  

 

 

The ice cream bar is dipped into the chocolate coating and the toppings are then sprinkled to the ice cream bar, and "tada", the bestEST Magnum Bar ever!!!

 

 

 

 My choice: vanilla ice cream, dipped in dark chocolate with almonds, marsh mallow and choco dots for toppings. 

 

 

My boy is so proud of his own ice cream creation. 

 

I guess we will be back again soon (hopefully without queues)!

 

 

 

Magnum Manila is located at the 5F Skypark, SM Aura

Check out their facebook page for details: Magnum Manila

 

 

NBA Cafe Review ~ Boys Day Out

If you have boys (and a husband :P) who are so into basketball,  you should consider dining at the NBA café at SM Aura, BGC Taguig. 

 

 

 

 

The huge NBA logo at the store front, was quite successful and attracting my kiddos' attention.  The crew invited us in and my kids were all eyes, on the NBA theming of the place ~ furnishing and decorations.

  

There are television monitors, everywhere you look, tuned to obviously the NBA channel.   

 

We came in at 11:30, with only a handful of people eating, but

I can imagine this place full of fans cheering their teams on at playoffs and finals. 

 

 

Just look at these NBA jerseys, such an eye-candy for my baseball stars wannabes.

 

 Do you see the main monitor at the background? It is humongous! 

 

And don't fear missing anything important as you excuse yourself to the bathroom, they have built in audio inside the restroom to make sure you are completely updated with the game.

 

 

We ordered cheese burgers, creamy macaroni and cheese and creamy spinach, white bean and artichoke dip. 

 

 

 The cheese burger plate ~ P 385. 

 

Topped with Gruyere cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles  cheese burger is heavy, my husband and my eldest had their fill and felt full even after dinner time. They said they should have ordered just one for sharing.

 

 

The creamy macaroni and cheese ~ P375.

 

I shared a bowl of macaroni and cheese with my youngest.  The sauce thickens as the meal cools. 

 

Creamy spinach, white bean and artichoke for appetizer ~ P195.

 

The appetizer came with very few chips that we had to get more chips for an additional P60.

 

 

VERDICT

• NBA café is perfect for a day out with your boys.  It is wonderful concept for basketball fans.  
• Our orders were good, but not spectacular.  

 

Are we coming back?  

With boys who are so into basketball, I am guessing Yes! 

 

 

NBA Café Manila is located at the 5th floor, Skypark, SM Aura Premier Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Telephone Number: 63-2-556-1683.

 

 

Check out their website for more details: http://www.nba.com/nbacafe/about.html

 

 

 

 

Hap Chan Antipolo

 

I love Chinese cuisine and was all too happy to know, that one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Hap Chan has recently opened a branch at Robinson's Antipolo.

 

 

The restaurant is located at the mall's Al fresco ground floor area. It was small, but still inviting and cozy.

 

Me and my girls :P

  

We ordered: pork and shrimp siomai, hakaw, birthday noodles, spicy squids, lechon macau and yangchow

(what? we were hungry!).

 

 

 

The food were expectedly delicious and filling.  

 

 

View Park Hotel's Red Lemon Grill and Adam's Cafe

Are you in search of tummy filling alternatives to your usual Tagaytay staple native restaurants? 

We came to know of View Park Hotel's Red Lemon Grill by accident as we were traversing Tagaytay-Calamba Road from 8 Suites, which was our Tagaytay home for the weekend.  


Red Lemon Grill is a modest restaurant operated by View Park Hotel.   The restaurant serves fusion Italian and Asian meals. 

Indoor sitting capacity is limited with added few outdoor benches for guests who would rather enjoy the Tagaytay's weather out in the open.


We were there on a Saturday night dinner.  And we were delighted to learn that they have an acoustic band that starts playing around 7pm.


We had chopsuey, calamares, lechon kawali (sorry, I forgot the name of the food my eldest ordered).  Everything was delicious.  Servings was hefty, yet well within budget. 

Their special chopsuey and melt in your mouth lechon kawali are highly recommended.

 We ended dinner  with brewed coffee, from Red Lemon Grill's adjoining coffee shop ~ Adam's Café.

Adam's brewed coffee was perfect against the chilling Tagaytay weather. 

VERDICT 

• Thumbs up for Red Lemon Grill and Adam's Café.
• Everything we ordered tasted great and price was about half the costs compared to other nearby restaurants.
• Coffee was also excellent.  I recommend Adam's Café as an easy alternative to the always full packed Bag of Beans.
• Unfortunately, the restaurant has no view of the famous Taal Volcano. But that was okay, since our accommodation at 8 Suites already has a majestic view of Taal. 

Red Lemon Grill and Adam's Café  are located at

3500 Calamba Road, Sungay East, Tagaytay City

phone number: 584-4090

email address: inquiry@viewparkhotel.com

For additional inquiries you may also check View Park Hotel's website at www.viewparkhotel.com.

Amoroma Ristorante Tagaytay ~ Authentic Italian!

 

The place is a bit unassuming from the outside and I would not have dared venture inside, if not for the beautiful reviews I have read from the other bloggers!
 
The inside of the restaurant, however, tells a different story.
There were obvious efforts from the owners to transform the place into a bona fide little Italian restaurant: 

... upon entering using the back door access from the restaurant's parking,  you would we delighted with the sight of numerous Italian Renaissance paintings that adorned the halls, a real working wood fired brick oven is also something you would not normally see elsewhere,  red checkered plaid pattern tablecloths and Italian music at the background would surely complete your dining experience.

 

 

 

 

There is a notice posted by the kitchen window: Orders are prepared fresh, simply put... "you shouldn't eat here if you are already hungry and famished, since it would be a while before they have your orders finished and served". 

 

When our food finally came, there were no frills and plating was almost nil,  honestly not very attractive.  Hohum...

 

 

Until we took a bite and unanimously agreed that this is by far one of the best pizza we have had... the waiting and the simple plating became forgivable... 

 

 

 

L-R/T-B: We ordered 5 Italian cheese pizza, carbonara, focaccia bread in pesto genovese dip, crab and shrimp stuffed pasta in tomato and cream sauce and creamy mushroom soup (not on photo)

 

 
VERDICT
 
We are happy we decided to stop over for lunch.  Amoroma Ristorante (literal translation "I Love Rome") succeeded in giving us a taste of Rome.
 
Pricing is a bit steep for most Juan, but I think the price was worth it.  We love everything that we ordered and would not hesitate to come back.

When in Tagaytay and if you are craving for authentic Italian cuisine, do not hesitate and seek out Amoroma Ristorante. Highly recommended.
 

Amoroma Ristorante Italiano is located in Tagaytay City.

Address: Calamba Road, Tolentino East, Tagaytay City

Contact Numbers: (046) 696-3582 / (0916) 3829883

MR. PARK (yummy breads and cakes)

 

This is a long over due shout out!
 

WE LOVE MR. PARK

 

My husband discovered this unassuming pastry shop in Ortigas Center Pasig. Hubby bought a box of Mr. Park's cream puffs for the kiddos for pasalubong.

 

The boys opened the box and giddily munched on the cream puffs.

The cream puffs literally "pops" at first bite.  A bit messy, but an awesome eat!!!

 

It was such ruckuss as the boys finished everything... except one that I managed to save (hihihi!)

 

 

WARNING: 

Don't bite, put the entire puff inside your mouth then chew (Mr. Park should have stamped this warning on his cream puff boxes)!

 

Mr. Park is an absolute must try.  Check out their other specialty breads and cakes too, I am sure you won't be disappointed.

 

I suggest you visit the Eton Emerald Lofts branch.  The Korean owner is so nice, he would often hand out new products to customers to try for free.

 

We frequent the Mr. Park's Breads and Cakes located at the

Ground Floor of Eton Emerald Lofts,

Garnet Street Corner F. Ortigas Jr, Ortigas, Pasig City.

Yehey for RUB ribs & bbq

I was introduced to Rub's Ribs and BBQ by officemates as a treat  for our unit's monthly birthday celebrants.

I was never a fan of grilled anything, so the invitation came as a must attend rather than a wanna go.

The branch we visited is located at

Baler St., cor. Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air Makati.

The place is a bit cramped and small, with just enough sitting for about 50-60 pax.  I strongly suggest you call to reserve a table if you intend to come for lunch or dinner.  

I ordered Chicken Cajun pasta while the rest of my officemates had family brunch servings of ribs with side dishes.

Serving was hefty. My team of 4 boys shared a platter and looked full...(or kinda full)...

My order was spot on. The chicken was tender and delicious. I was not really hungry, but was able to clean my plate easy. 

(Sorry not much pictures here, I was busy munching and babbling with office mates I forgot to take photos)


The guys who ordered the BBQ ribs said they will be back for more and requested for the restaurant's flyers. So I guess that means the ribs were delicious.

VERDICT
RUB's is a delicious affordable alternative to otherwise expensive all American grilled restaurant. I am not yet a grilled/BBQ convert, but getting there!

Highly recommended for families.

Rub's has branches in Kapitolyo Pasig (near Ace Water Spa), South Rallos and Quezon City.  

For reservations and take home you may call 625-2939

Latest Dining Discovery in Tagaytay City ~ Morielli's Inn & Diner Restaurant

Tagaytay never runs out of hearty food stops and family friendly restaurants that continue to impress.

In our last Tagaytay escapade, my family experienced for our ourselves,

Morielli's Inn & Diner Restaurant.

 

It is a very charming restaurant, that offers exciting twists to your otherwise so-so traditional dishes.

 

 The menu selection is varied and all looks delectable. We had to settle with the chef's specialties.

 

My family ordered the pepper rice surprise, soft tacos, Pampanga pizza, carbonara and "turon with ice cream" for dessert.  

 

L-R/T-B: (a) Restaurant facade, (b) Interior, (c) While waiting for our order, one of the crew offered to take our family picture and (d) My youngest enjoying his turon.

 

L-R/T-B: (a) Pampanga Pizza, utterly delicious, (b) Carbonarra, egg base, (c) Pepper Rice Surprise, my husband can't have enough and keeps on saying, how delicious this meal is. He devoured on the entire plate, (d) Turon with generous slices of banana and langka inside.

 

VERDICT

The restaurant's tag line ~" Eat Much, Laugh Often and Love Much", speaks much of the owners passion for cooking and sharing this love affair with food to others to enjoy.

Morielli's is a special restaurant that offers lovingly prepared food served by truly warm and pleasant personnel.  


The fast service and personable crew (specially Rachel) tops the extraordinary experience.

NOTE:

• Come in hungry and order the house specialties.  We would definitely be back to try their breakfast.

• Our food order were on the spicy side, I would not recommend for small children.  Please ask the crew for food suggestions for your little ones.

 

• Morielli's also has rooms for rent.  Rachel was nice and gave us the grand tour.  They have four 4 bedrooms with a common living room area.  Each room has 2 queen beds, which I think would comfortably sleep a family of 4. Please check their website for the room rates or call them personally and ask for discounted rates.

 

Morielli's is located at Calamba Rd. cor. St. Francis Rd. Tagaytay.