Bulawan (not) Floating Restaurant

 

It was a fine Saturday morning for a road trip.  So we packed our bags and headed off to

Cavinti Laguna from Taytay Rizal via Manila East and Lumban-Caliraya-Cavinti Road.

 

It was almost noon time and I swear I heard my kiddos' tummies grumbling.  Along Pilillia Rizal main highway we saw the Bulawan Floating Restaurant signage.  Without hesitation, my hubby entered the restaurant's gates and hurriedly parked the car (I guess he is hungry as well :). 

 

We were greeted by the restaurant's waiters and led to the main pavilion (I was eyeing a more private seating, but the private cottages where all occupied).

 

 

 

 

 

I was immediately given the menu and proceeded to ordering for my family of 9. 

 

I ordered buko, 2 sets of halo-halong inihaw, halo-halong sinigan, buko pastel, 2 orders of pansit. According to the waiter, each order is good for 3 pax, but for a hungry road-tripping family I would say each order was only good for 2).

 

 

They have huge tables.  It was difficult to pass the food around, one would have to stand to reach across. 

The first to arrive is my dad's order of buko! 

The halo-halong inihaw, included - tilapia, hito, pusit, liempo (with side vegetables: okra and talong).



The halo-halong sinigang meanwhile included - hipon, alimasag and fresh fish catch.

 

 

My boys while waiting for the rest of our entourage to finish, gamely posed for picture taking.

 

Bulawan's main pavilion.

VERDICT: 

FOOD and PRICING- Food was good, not splendid.  I also find the servings quite small for the price (average 300-400 per order). 

AMBIANCE- Since it was an open area, there were plenty of flies hovering around. A fly literally dived into our Singing.  It was a constant struggle to keep them off your food.

SERVICE - The crew were nice and friendly.  I requested for fish feed (since the restaurant has an area for fishing and I thought my kids will love seeing fish feeding) and one of the attending waiters nicely got me fish feeds for free.  Unfortunately, the fishes must have been sleeping or probably just had lunch 😄, since we did not see any.  I was a little disappointed.

Overall it was a good experience. Not sure if I will be back though.  There were plenty of other restaurants in the area and I would gladly try them out first before any repeat!


So is it floating - not really!  The cottages are not on stilts and were in fact made of concrete.

Bulawan Floating Restaurant is located at
Km. 59, Manila East Road, National Highway, Halayhayin in Pilillia Rizal (Contact No. 585-3234).
 

A Ninjago Birthday Party for a 5 Year Old!

I thought it was a cute idea to have a Ninjago Birthday Party.  My 5year old is a Ninjago fan, so a Ninja themed party was an obvious easy decision. 

 

The excitement, however, was short lived and ended right after I started scouting for party supplies and give-aways.  There were no readily available party supplies on ninja parties and had to rely on my DIY prowess (lol!).

 

 

Booking the venue was the easiest part of the party prep.

My 5 years old told me that ninjas love pizza (he pointed out the Ninja Turtles, hmmn) so we ended booking the event at Shakeys. 

 

 

INVITES AND TARPS

 

I sourced Ninjago pictures from the ever dependable internet and designed this "save the date invites" and posted it in facebook to set the tone of the party.

 



The tarp was designed by MKA de signs printing.  Very efficient and well made. 

COSTUME

There were very limited ninja costumes in the market, so I ordered this through Amazon online.  He specifically requested for a green ninja, which apparently is the color of  "Ninjago Lloyd". 

This was one of the party teasers I posted in the fb event page. 

Finding a family costume was difficult, good I chanced upon this online shop - The Krafty Junkie that sells customized Ninjago shirts.  I had the shirts labeled as follows:

• Master of Spinjitsu (green shirt, Spinjitsu is the Ninjago martial arts ) - for the celebrant
• Big Bro San (blue shirt, "san" means mr. in Japanese) - for my eldest (kuya)
• Sensei (red shirt, "sensei" means teacher) - for me
• Dai-Sensei (black shirt, dai-sensei means great teacher) - for hubby

Krafty Junkie is very efficient.  The shirts were nicely printed.  I got very good feedback from our guests!

 

 

 CAKE AND CUP CAKES

 

 

I got the Ninjago cake concept also from the internet.  I gave the design to Toy Cakes and was quite pleased with the end result. Tastes good and very reasonably priced.  Highly recommended.

Toy Cakes contact number is (0906) 2959093). 

 

 

VENUE AND PARTY AMENITIES

 

 

Shakeys Ortigas Extension has ample parking and fits 70 easily.  However, I had over 90+ guests and had problems sitting them.  I can't seem to find the crew nor the manager.  I had to make several follow ups for additional chairs and personally find chairs for my guests...

 

Loot bags came with the party amenities.  You can opt to exclude, but find the goodies inside of good quality and decided to keep. 

I also ordered Ninjago pillows for additional give aways, but I forgot to take pictures.  Fortunately found them posted in my suppliers (Jmxstudios net) sulit page.  I used the pillows as game prizes. 

I ordered Shakey's Monster Meal and had it served buffet style. 

 

I ordered personalize Ninjago shirts for my son's classmates.  I got their names in advance and had it printed on the shirts.  I thought it was a nice touch to the party theme.
All his classmates were present in their Ninjago shirts. 
 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

William the Magician was a big hit with the kids.  He took charge of the games, did fabulous magic and ventriloquism. 

 

After party picture taking...

 

One tired, but happy ninja~!

 

 

Hap Chan

I was craving for some Chinese dimsum and was so excited to see a recently opened Hap Chan Restaurant while traversing Ortigas Extension (oh what luck!) in Taytay Rizal.

 

 

 

 

 

We ordered shrimp siomai, hakaw, pork siomai (didn't I say I was hungry for dimsum?), Hap Chan special noodles, yang chow fried rice,

Hap Chan special hot pot, broccoli flower with garlic, lumpiang shanghai and fried chicken fillet with lemon sauce.

 

I guess we were really hungry (actually close to famished) since my husband ordered congee on top of our existing order.

 

Is it obvious?  This bunch is enjoying their order.  

Cravings fulfilled!!!

Hap Chan has a branch km. 18 Ortigas Ave. Extension, Brgy. San Isidro, Taytay
Rizal. Contact number (+63 2) 650-2500.

Seafood Island ~ Real Deal!

We entered the Seafood Island Restaurant in pure desperation, upon seeing the long queue of hungry people outside Cabalen (we have been planning to eat there). 

 

I was quite hesitant to enter Seafood Island really, as I was expecting prices to be on the upscale, since it is after all a seafood restaurant in the Metro!!!

 

I was honestly surprised as I was given the menu and found group meals affordable and reasonable...

 

 

The restaurant aims for an nipa hut/beach ambiance with native abaniko-inspired ceiling fan, hard wood chairs and tables and island souvenir decorations.


The tough part was choosing from their wide selection boodle feast (all looked so yummy and filling). 

After much deliberation we ordered the "fiesta bicolandia"

(halaan sa buko, pork bbq, ensaladang talong, ginataang alimango laing, grilled tilapia with bagoong rice... my mom wanted soup so we order sinigang bangus belly!)

Some souvenir shots infront of Seasfood Restaurant, Market Market!

VERDICT:  Perfect for huge groups (families and barkadas, even balik-bayans). My balik-bayan Tita seems very satisfied (she ordered additional rice).

We had our fill for a little over P1200 (we actually paid less as we were with senior citizens).

It was a good thing Cabalen was full! So love this restaurant, we can't wait to order the other boodle feasts :P  (Note to self:  I will be back!!!)


Visit Seafood Island Restaurant at G/F Market! Market!, Carlos P. Garcia Ave Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.