Shots of Life: 2012

ILoveToBake #2: Sweets’ Haven's Carrot Cupcake

Last November 11, my sister’s son turned 1 month old. Together with her husband’s family, we celebrated his “monthly birthday” at their house. Now I have a reason to bake and use my just recently purchased cupcake topper – carrot topping made of royal icing. I’m a frequent client of Sweet Craft and I got attracted with this cute carrot topper so I ended up buying one for myself. Hihi.

Presenting to you guys my Chocolate Carrot Cupcake. It’s a cupcake with carrot and apple base topped with chocolate ganache and decorated with the carrot candy. Actually, I wanted to create a cream cheese frosting but unfortunately, I don't have a stock of cream cheese at home. Well anyways, believe it or not, it was good. I can’t believe I was able to eat a piece because I don’t usually eat the pastries I bake. Haha.

Carrot topper na mukhang sili :p

Here's how it looks without the ganache:

I’m selling this for Php 36 if packaged by piece and Php 350 if sold by dozen. :)

Please like My Sweet's Haven on facebook and visit my multiply site for other products.

Kanin Club

I had lots of celebration for my birthday last July. (oha july pa to naka draft sa blog ko:p) We had pasta and chicken festival at home, lunch with Boyps at Buffet 101 and the most recent was lunch with my mother and brother at Kanin Club. I wanted them to try Filipino dish aside from what my mother and auntie cook in our eatery.

It would be our first time to go to UP techno hub as this was the nearest branch of the said restaurant from our house. We had difficulty finding the place because there were few signage along the Commonwealth avenue. We had 3 rounds of driving along the Q.C circle and that made me hungrier and a bit dizzy.

There were a lot of customers waiting to be seated when we arrived. The waitress said that we have to wait for 30 minutes before we can get a slot. Luckily, after placing our orders, we were advised that seats are ready to be occupied.

I wanted them to try what I have tried before which is the Sinangag na Sinigang and their famous and unique crispy Dinuguan.

Sinangag na Sinigang (Php 224) is a fried rice that taste exactly like Sinigang. The only difference – it was dry. It was topped with thinly sliced pork meat, crispy kangkong and breaded okra.

Brother – asim, parang di bagay sa mga ulam na inorder natin.
Me – super yummy pa din! Hihi.

Crispy Dinuguan (Php 261), from its name, is made up of crispy porklets (and chicharon with laman – I think!) set in thick pork blood. My brother is a dinuguan non-eater but he helped me finish everything on the plate. The serving is really generous. Sawa na kami pero may nangunguya pa din. :p

Brother requested to try Crispy pork binagoongan (Php 231). It's a pork belly laid in bagoong sauce with tomato slices. The meat was really crispy but we all didn't like the sauce. It would be better if they will add more bagoong.

Mother wanted some fish so we settled for Binukadkad na Tilapia (Php 246). Another crispy dish but this was really bland. You really need to dip it to the soy sauce to add flavor to it. My brother finds it fishy though. Hihi

I think they enjoyed the experience as much as I did. My brother told me that he liked it because we had a break from our usual "fast food lunch out". Hihi
Mother would like to have dessert so I suggested to buy Razon's Halo-halo which is also just within the area.

Kanin Club
UP Ayala Land TechnoHub
Commonwealth Ave.
Quezon City

Lan zhou la mien

Boyps and I just had our first food trip in Bambang! I find this place quite a Binondo-like because it was surrounded with lots of restaurants and eateries. Just after my check up at Metropolitan hospital, Boyps had already an idea where to bring me for lunch. Just in front of the hospital is a noodle house named Lan zhou la mien. The place was small but air-conditioned. It was a bit jam-packed when we arrived so we had to share a table with other guests.

Menu is few as compared to other Chinese restaurants and that made it easy for us to select what to eat.

First off, we ordered Egg Cha Gan (Php160) - fried rice with scrambled eggs, sausages and green veggies. It was not oily, the serving was just okay, but the taste is quite ordinary. It was a bit bland but the soy sauce from our dumplings helped to improve its taste.

We wanted to have some soup so we ordered Beef Knife Mien (Php 120). Thick noodle soup with big chunks of beef and few Chinese pechay. It was such a good choice. The soup was seasoned nicely and the noodles really made us feel full after consuming half of it. There are cut onion leaves and another veggie that can be added to make it more savory.

Fried and Steam dumplings (Php 170). This was a combination of steamed and fried kutchai dumplings. This was actually not written in the menu but it just so happened that Boyps wanted steamed, while I preferred fried so I asked the server if we can have half-half and she said yes. Hihi. I like their version of this dumpling - the combination of ground chives and meat is perfect. The chives were not overpowering. The fried dumplings were not oily and the wrapper was crunchy. Try it with their special sauce plus the chili sauce.:)

I also ordered Black Gulaman and didn't like it so I ended up drinking Boyps' order which is Honey Calamansi juice.

Lan zhou la mien
Mayhaligue cr Masangkay
Bambang, Manila

Gotti's Ristorante

If you have read some of my posts, I have mentioned before that I transferred to a company where its location was just a cartwheel away from the Mall of Asia. I only have 1 friend during the time I had lunch there but now I have two. Haha. Improving pa din. :p Every Friday, Friend and I always go to mall to have lunch. We always check the advertisements whenever we passed by the bridge way from our office to the mall.

I wanted pasta that day so she agreed with me to try out Gotti’s. The moment we reached the place, we were immediately welcomed by one of the service crew. He handed us the menu and offered some of their meals. We’re supposed to order their set meals but Friend wanted to order Frutti di mare (Php 210). It’s a seafood pasta in red sauce. It has clams, shrimps and squid. We both liked it. The sauce was flavorful and the seafood serving was generous. It was a perfect combination of sweet, sour and salty taste. It became cheesier when seasoned with grated parmesan cheese.

We also got their mi mamas Quattro formaggi (Php 295). This is their version of four cheese pizza. It was indeed a super yummy cheesy pizza. The crust was thin and crispy. We are just so full that we only got to consume 4 slices. Haha.

We both enjoyed our dining experience here. The crew was very nice and accommodating. Prompt response was also assured and additional request was always granted. I'll surely be back and will accompany Boyps next time. New Friend , kain tayo diyan na kasama ka naman :p

Gotti's Ristorante

G/F SM Mall of Asia
Ocean Drive
Manila Bay Reclamation Area
Pasay City

The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream bar

I first heard of this place when my ex-team lead was planning to celebrate her child’s birthday at The Creamery. She told me that I should visit the place as it was serving delicious Carbonara and delightful ice creams.

One Friday night, just after work, Boyps went to MOA so we can try another restaurant in the area. Surprisingly, Boyps and I settled at The Creamery. I’ve been asking him to try it weeks ago but he refuses. :p

We were both not hungry and wanted something light. A friend suggested that we should try their Carbonara (Php 140). It was creamy and tasty. The bacon bits just made it more appealing and flavorful.

Since pasta isn’t enough for both of us, Boyps ordered their Chicken Barbeque (Php 180). It is a chicken fillet poured with barbeque sauce paired with java rice. The chicken fillet was tender and the sauce was yummy, really yummy. It’s sweet and salty taste was perfect. I liked the atchara too. Hihi.

Dining at The Creamery won’t be complete without trying their signature ice creams. We got their Belgian Chocolate Mint ice cream (Php 160). It was a combination of chocolate and mint mustard with lots of crunchy cookie bits. It was perfect! The mint flavor added twist to the usual chocolate ice cream. Super love. :)

The restaurant was located inside the mall's Kids Universe So if you bring with you your kids, you can enjoy your ice creams while kids are playing or maybe you can share with them some ice cream and let them play afterwards. :)
I would love to go back here and try other dishes especially their ice creams! :)

The Creamery Resto and Ice Cream bar
G/F SM Mall of Asia
Bay Boulevard
Pasay City

Yutaka Izakaya

Just before a holiday (this was another late post), Boyps and I had dinner at Yutaka Izakaya. He’s been eyeing this restaurant for a long time already and it just so happen that I was craving for some noodles soup. I’ve been feeling cold ever since I started working. It looks like my jacket was not enough to give me comfort while working in a very cold environment.

Anyways, we both think that it was a perfect timing to finally try this restaurant. Yutaka Izakaya is a Japanese restaurant serving a variety of noodles, rice meals, maki and sushi. The ambiance was cozy and really “japanistic”. Haha. They have low tables were guests will sit on the floor with pillows.

Here’s what we got for dinner:

Katsutoji set (Php 149) – this is closely similar to pork tonkatsu meal. The only difference was, the porkchop was mixed with scrambled egg and drizzled with some sauce. This meal set comes with rice and miso soup. The soup was great but not as tasty as Sakae Sushi’s version. The pork was a bit pale but with the help of soy sauce, its taste has improved.

I wanted some soup so I got one for myself. I ordered Nabeyaki Udon (Php 239). It was a thick noodle soup with veggies and tempura as toppings. It was delicious and soothing. This is quite similar to Nemoto's version. I miss Nemoto already. :(

Service was fast and crews were nice. It was such a fun food trip experience again with Boyps.

Yutaka Izakaya

Madison Bldg.

Taft Ave.

Malate, Manila

Kristina's Inutak

Just before I go home after work, I decided to buy Inutak at SM Mall of Asia’s food court. Every time my friends and I stroll, I always throw a glance at its stall. I even ask the lady what Inutak is and she gladly answered me and gave me and my companions a free taste.

Inutak is a delicacy with sticky rice bottom topped with coconut cream. At first glance, it looked like Cassava cake but it has a different base. The sticky rice looked (and tasted) like sapin – sapin and the coconut cream was baked until its golden brown. The texture was smooth and its sweetness was just enough. It was really delicious. May tendency lang ng umay pag napadami ang kain.

Php 350 (Inutak Classic)

Inutak also offers a variety of flavors like Quezo de bola, Langka, Corn, Tablea and Macapuno.

If you want something new, go try this sweet delicacy.

Kristina's Inutak

2F Main Bldg.

SM Mall of Asia

Pasay City

The Linden Suites

Day before my sister's wedding, she checked-in us at The Linden Suites hotel in Ortigas. The exterior of the hotel was not attractive at all. The reception area didn't wow me as well. But the moment I entered our two – bedroom suite, it just blew me away. Haha. It was my first time to check-in in that kind of room – big and really spacious.

Our suite has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a mini dining area and kitchen. Each room has its own shower room with bathtub, queen - size beds, cabinets with bathrobes and slippers, tables and chairs, television and phone. I love the bed, the pillows and sheets - soft and fragrant.

The bathrooms were huge as well. There were hand towels and complimentary toiletries too. We were not able to use the bathtub because everyone enjoyed sleeping and watching TV. :p

The living room also has a television (walang away sa TV talaga :p).

The kitchen has refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, rice cooker, plates, glasses and saucers.

Actually, the suite should only be occupied by 2 persons as hotel policy but it can actually accommodate 4 people or more with extra mattresses. My sister's booking also comes with buffet breakfast for 2. Since she reserved 2 suites (one for us and the other one for groom's family), it was just the groom (actually husband na), Boyps, brother and father who availed the breakfast coupons.

Our room has also a view of Ortigas business center and SM Mega mall. It has also a good location since it was just a walking distance from Megamall, church and convenient store. I would love to back there and stay for a night again so I can try their swimming pool. J

For guest with cars, just advise the guards that you have reservation to avail the free parking space.

The Linden Suites

37 San Miguel Ave

Ortigas Centre

Pasig City

Singapore 2012: Part 2 of Day 2: Songs of the Sea + Crane Dance + Lake Dreams

Just after our Universal Studios tour, we went to Sentosa for the Songs of the Sea show. But since we're early for the 7:40 pm show, we had our early dinner first at McDonald's Sentosa. I ordered for McSpicy meal ($6.80) while Boyps had McChicken meal ($5.00).

McSpicy Burger

McChicken Burger

Fries (just like ours)

I've seen Songs of the Sea show the first time I went to Singapore. I was really amazed with the light plus laser plus water plus fireworks plus song and dance presentation. And even if it was already my second, I still felt the same excitement and happiness I had during my first. But this time, I encouraged my friends that we buy Premium seat tickets for $15. Personally, I would say that it was not worth it because we arrived so early that we can actually get a nice spot on their regular seats. But I still liked the show even if I did not understand the lyrics of the song. Hahaha.

After the show, we went back at Resorts World to watch free shows. We went to the Crane dance show first.

We got the perfect seat in front. We arrived early before the show started but there are more people who arrived earlier than us. When the show started, everyone was so quiet watching the cranes dance to the tune of a slow music. In less than 5 minutes, it stopped moving. We didn't lose hope that it will resume the show not until we heard a voice that it will be cancelled due of a technical error. Huhu. And because it's free, I don't have any right to be annoyed.

We tried our luck to the next free show at the Lake of Dreams. There were fewer guest here as compared to the crane show. Tourist can just seat anywhere and find a good spot. This was just a light show. Changing light colors with mellow music on the background. It was relaxing but there's nothing special in it. Since it's free, wala akong karapatan magreklamo. Well these two shows simply gave our feet a rest. It was our time to relax and enjoy the sound of music.

After these, we went to the Casino just to see how it looks like. I've seen one in Macau already and I told them that I wanted to play. :) When we were there, friend's hubby was told that guests wearing shorts are not allowed inside the casino. I was so dismayed to know that. Hindi porke naka shorts walang pera. :p Hahaha.

Phohoa

Boyps and I were not in the mood to try a new restaurant or to spend much money so we settled at Pho hoa (besides, it's rainy season already). We've been to this place for so many times and in different branches but I seldom order for hot noodles (I love their tofu. Hihi). I'm enjoying the food here because I really find it delicious.

Anyways, here's what we had for dinner:

Large Seafood Noodle Soup (Php 325) – thick noodles with squid balls, shrimps and fish fillet mixed with some green vegetables. It was good but not a hit! There's not much seafood in our bowl (They have this spicy beef noodles and it was way way better). K

Fried Rice Paper Roll with Pork and Vermicelli (Php 129) – The paper roll was crunchy and the filling was really flavorful. I love the vinegar that comes with it. It was sour with some kick of sweetness.

Service was indeed fast and crew was just okay. It was really the vermicelli that saved my day. J

Pho hoa
Robinsons Place
Ermita, Manila

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