Pares Retiro along P. Tuazon Now on its Soft Opening

Yesterday, we had breakfast in Pares Retiro. It's a newly opened restaurant along P. Tuazon Blvd. that serves Pares, Silog meals, Mami, etc. This is my second time to visit. During our first time eating here, I didn't really liked their Pares. The beef is so tough.

This time, I ordered Sizzling Sisig. Jen ordered Beef Chami(P95) and Tokwa't Baboy(P50) and Ira had Pares(P80).

They served the soup first then it took a while before they served our order especially the Sisig. That's understandable since they are still on soft opening but I got really disappointed when their waiter served the orders and he accidentally spilled the soup on me but didn't even bother saying sorry. He even acted like nothing happened. He didn't even mopped our area even though the soup has spilled on the floor.

The Sisig has some bits of Chicharon and it's good for two but it's not something to crave for. Well, I can describe it as decent considering the price is at P105.

After eating, I asked Jen and Ira for their ratings. They both loved the food there so Jen gave 8 while Ira gave 9. But for me, I will only give them 6.5 even though their meals are cheap because I can get better food and better service for the same price. So, our overall rate for Pares Retiro is 7.8

Pares Retiro is located along P. Tuazon Blvd. corner 17th Street

Sunday Breakfast at Kitchen Diaries Cafe

It's Sunday and I was too lazy to prepare breakfast so Hubby and I decided to just have breakfast somewhere in Kapitolyo so I searched the web and Kitchen Diaries showed up. I've been seeing this place whenever we eat at Kanto Freestyle Breakfast but we never had the chance to try it until today.

They're still on soft opening so they have a very limited breakfast menu but they have a wide choices of cakes and pastires. They suggested we order their bestseller Angus Corned Beef, which we did. For the cakes, we tried their Black Forest and Strawberry Cheesecake.

Angus Corned Beef (Definitely worth a try!)

Black Forest at P75

Strawberry Cheesecake at P125

Capuccino at P85

I think the Black Forest is a bit tough but I loved their Strawberry Cheesecake. While we're eating, we're given free samples of Red Velvet Crinkles, Brownie Brittle and Oreo Cream Cheese Cookies and we liked all of them. We even bought our son Brownie Brittle for take away since he almost want to eat the whole jar (LOL).

Overall, we liked the ambiance, the service and the food and we'll definitely go back soon.

Kitchen Diaries is located at Unit 1E, 1st Corner San Rafael Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Conti's Bakeshop & Restaurant in Katipunan

There are a lot of must-try restaurants along Katipunan Avenue and one of them is Conti's, famous for their Mango Bravo. I've been wanting to try it but I only had the chance last Wednesday. After our shift, we went off to COnti's in Katipunan to have breakfast. It's just a few blocks away from our office.

Once we entered, we're greeted by pastries and cakes from their Take-Out Nook. Just a few steps away is their Dining Area. It has a very relaxing ambiance. We chose the couch near the window but it's just unfortunate that the window didn't have a  good view. You'll only see walls.

We're handed out the menu and we had a hard time deciding what to order. Originally, I only planned to order cakes and some coffee but when I scoured their menu, I suggested we share their group breakfast set and desserts. We ordered their Breakfast Combo D. It's good for 3-4 persons. It is consisted of Hamonado Longganisa, Beef Flakes, Salmon Belly in Olive Oil, Egg Salad, Tomato Slices, Garlic Rice and Atchara and costs P590. For desserts, they have limited to offer that time so we chose Tiramisu Cheesecake, New York Cheesecake, Salted Caramel Cake and Turtle Pie.

Salted Caramel Cake at P95

New York Cheesecake at P145

Tiramisu Cheesecake at P155

Turtlepie at P115

All the food tasted great but their cakes are so sinful. You can't have enough with one slice and their cakes are cheap at P95/slice. It's just unfortunate that we're not able to try their famous Mango Bravo but maybe next time it will be available.

This place is recommended for intimate dining with friends and loved ones.

Ying Ying Tea House - A Must-Visit Restaurant for Authentic Chinese Dishes

It's been a while since I ate authentic Chinese Dishes so when we visited my mom in Manila, I asked her if she could take us to Ying Ying. The place is very nostalgic since our dad used to take us there whenever we just feel like eating Dimsum or Mami.

Not much really changed in Chinatown. It's still the same simple place with old buildings.

At Ying Ying, We ordered Mami and Dimsums. While waiting for the food to be served, we took a sip of their free unlimited hot tea.

Unlimited Hot Tea for free

Wanton Mami

Hakao at P70

Radish Cake at P60

Spare Ribs at P70

Tai Pao (Special Siopao) at P70

Our food was served just a few minutes after we ordered and after having my lips touched the Radish Cake, it was like Heaven. I wish we could frequent the place again. Oh! If only I'm still living in Manila.

Ying Ying Tea House is located in Dasmarinas St. cor Yuchengo St., Binondo, Manila

Kanto Freestyle Breakfast - Kapitolyo Branch

A day after my officemates and I had our breakfast in Kanto Libis (Backread Here), Hubby wanted to eat there again but since I'm aware that they have a branch in Kapitolyo, I asked him if we can try there instead. It's located in 1st Street but their place isn't noticeable so we had a hard time finding them.

They don't have a parking space but you can park your car along the street.

The place is a garage converted into a restaurant and it's spacier than their branch in Libis.

Kanto Freestyle Breakfast in Kapitolyo

The Kitchen

The Dining Area

The Bar

After we were handed their menu, I noticed there are some listed on their menu which are not available in Libis. Hubby's mind is set on their pancakes so I just ordered their Spanish Sardines Tempura.

Spanish Sardines Tempura at P90 (plus 10% SC)

I was craving for Scramble but it's not available that time since they ran out of ice so we just asked for a glass of water (without ice).

They also ran out of strawberry jam so instead of serving Mixed Berry Pancakes, they just served us Blueberry Pancakes.

Blueberry Pancakes at P90 (plus 10% SC)

Pancake with Chocnut and Goya Ganache at P90 (plus 10% SC)

Their plating is different as well.

After eating, we asked for our bill and I was surprised to see that there is a 10% service charge.

Overall, the place and food is so so. It's not what we expected and if ever we want to eat at Kanto Fresstyle again, we'll just go to their Libis branch.

Breakfast After Work at Kanto Freestyle Libis

Today, My office mates and I had breakfast at Kanto Freestyle. I've already been to this place a couple of times already but this is my first time to visit it after they renovated the place. They occupied the space that used to be a small bar and it's good that they are able to accommodate more customers now.

I noticed that they now offer the Pancake Platter for P170. I haven't tried that yet but based on the picture, I think the pancakes are too small so I still recommend the usual pancake that they offer.

While waiting for the food to be served (which took approx. 20 mins.), I took a picture of their updated menu:

The updated menu of Kanto Freestyle Breakfast in Libis

Phone Number for Delivery

Mommy Binky and I ordered Honey Garlic Chicken (P99) and we both loved it.

Honey Garlic Chicken

Hubby ordered Breaded Pork Chop (P95) that I wasn't able to taste but it looks good too.

Breaded Pork Chop

Jason ordered Mixed Berry Pancakes (P99) and Pancakes with Chocnut and Goya Ganache (P99).

Mixed Berry Pancakes

 After a few minutes, we're already done eating and we're very satisfied. The only downside is that it takes a while for them to prepare the food. But anyway, it's worth the wait. The next day, we ate at Kanto again but this time we tried their Kapitolyo Branch and here's what happened.

Mahogany Market in Tagaytay

We had our lunch in Mahogany Market and I had to buy meat and other stuffs before heading off to Calatagan for our team outing. It was already 1 in the afternoon when we arrived but the place is still full of people eating at the carinderias. We really don't have any specific carinderia in mind and we're all starving so we just sit down to what's nearest to us. There were bunch of bananas on the table and the waiter said it's free and unlimited. I believe they also offer unlimited barako coffee but I guess we're not offered that anymore since it's already Lunch time. I immediately asked for two orders of Bulalo (P350/order), two orders of Tawilis (P300/order), rice and softdrinks and in 10 minutes, food were already in front of us. There's not really any better place to have Bulalo than in Tagaytay. Leslie's Bulalo is also delicious but a bit pricey so, if you want to eat cheap, then Mahogany Market is the place to be.

At Mahogany Market

They have Crispy Pata too!

After eating, they went to the parking area while I went to buy some food for our outing. Liempo there is at P200/kilo which I think is a bit higher than the usual price because in Pasig Market, I believe it's just P190/kilo. Then I went on to buy Bangus at P140/kilo and Squid for Calamares at P260/kilo. On the other side of the market is the Fruits and Vegetables Section. I went on to buy Indian Mangoes and Shrimp Paste (Bagoong) then I went to the Rice Section to buy 5 kilos of Angelica Rice, which we're only able to consume about half of it. At the back part of the market, there is a stall selling ice, and a small grocery store where we bought softdrinks and booze.

The market has everything we needed for our outing. After we're done eating and buying groceries, we're back on the road for our final destination.