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

 

 

 

 

Iloilo Date Night with my Ex - 1 Night Only

My Ex (now my hubby) and I would often go out on weekend dates leaving the kids with my parents.  And occasionally on out of town trips without tugging our kids along.

Our latest escapade was a 4D/3N Iloilo - Guimaras trip (2 nights in Guimaras and 1 night in Iloilo).   Iloilo is a charming bustling city, in contrast  to rustic and rural Guimaras.


Sharing here, how we spent our 1 day in Iloilo.



I. Heritage Tour 

• Breakthrough Restaurant - simply one of the best tasting seafood restaurants I have been too. We had crabmeat (super delicious and so cool, no need to get your hands all dirty), mixed vegetables and stuffed grilled squid.  Ex, is not yet done with his Guimaras-mango galore and ordered 3 glasses of mango shake (1 for me, and 2 for him). We paid about P500 for the entire meal.

Breakthrough is situated by the beachfront.  Location was obviously an A+. It was like dining in Boracay.

The stuffed squid is perfectly grilled ~ moist and tender. I also fell in love with the crabmeat, absolute must order! 

• Miag-ao Church - a lovely Baroque Church that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Miag-ao Church is  also known as the Miag-ao Fortress Church since it also served as a defensive tower against Muslim raids. 

• Guimbal Church - one of the oldest churches in the country. The church is made of adobe stones ~ igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras. 

 

• Camina nga Balay na Bato - is a tour of Iloilo's culture, heritage and excellent cuisine. 

Check here my separate review of this one of a kind attraction ~ CAMINA NGA BALAY NA BATO
II. Sweet Heart Tour ~ Our sweet heart tour started late in the afternoon.

• Plazuela - is a beautifully designed complex, that took inspiration from Italian and Spanish architecture. The complex houses a multitude of restaurants and specialty shops.

I know, it was a picture taking galore (pasensya na)!

• Ponsyon (by Breakthrough), Plazuela ~ is an upscale version of Breakthrough.  We obviously enjoyed our Breakthrough lunch earlier, that dinner at Ponsyon was almost a default decision.

We had baked oysters (one of the best I have had), clam soup, bangus sisig, plus yup the staple mango shake!  We paid about P700 (yes and that's upscale!) for our order.

• River Esplanade - Clean and safe and free!  The night was cold and skies clear, with just enough stars to add up to the romantic walk.  This for me was the best part of our date night ~ plus an effective way to shed of all the pounds I gained from my eating galore earlier.

Sorry for the poor lighting and bad photo, the place is so nicer up-close.

• Tea at Latte Coffee and Cakes, Riverside Boardwalk
  ~ such a perfect way to end the evening.

The cakes are just for show,  we only had tea and coffee :P

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.

Movie Star Cafe just like in the MOVIES

I have heard quite a lot about one of the newest family restaurants in town - Movie Stars Café.  

 

It is a special kind of restaurant that runs hourly performances for the entire family entertainment.

 

So on my youngest son's 6th birthday, I pre-booked seats for us to check out and see for ourselves what the rave is all about.

 

 

 Movie Stars Café (here we are)

  

My boys gamely posed next to the King (himself) Kong (LOL!)

 

 

We came at about 6pm and found the place already half-packed.  There were still plenty of seats upfront, but to my dismay, we were given seats at the back. 

 

Although the place is small, and the back seats are only about 3-5 feet away from the  small runway stage,  I have been wanting to get front seats to amp my kids enjoyment in watching the shows.
 

I tried to use my charm to be moved upfront, but nah!

 

People started pouring in at 630pm and by 645 it was already jam-packed, so it was good we came in a little early.
 

We got eat-all-you buffet for four (2 adults and 2 kids), which cost P699 for adults and extra P100 for drinks.
 
There is not much to say about the food. It was plain and simple - much like a birthday party sort of spread.  
I honestly recommend you just do an a la carte.  That would be much cheaper and you get to choose what you like.  
 

 

There are plenty of MSC cast in famous movie character costume around to keep your kiddos busy in between performances that starts at 7pm.

 

If you did not get your money's worth from the food, don't fret since the shows are truly worth your every centavo.

 

(Performances photos courtesy of MSC FB page)

 

My boys had so much fun - my youngest son's jaw dropped seeing Spidey dance.

 

 Our choice pictures. L-R/T-B: Papa with Atom; Raj with Spider Man; Kuya with Jabbawockeez and Me with Bubblebee!

 

TIPS:

1. Reserve early.  Don't take chances, especially during weekends as it gets really crowded.
2. Do a la carte instead of buffet. 
3. Enjoy and don't hesitate to approach the performers.  They are very accommodating and will gladly pose with you!
4. Enjoy and have fun.

 

Movie Stars Café

Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia

Pasay City

Tel. No. 550-1234