the canDIshhh tales

Auntie Cata is one of my mom's BFFs and she cooks very well.  I still super remember her Java rice and her salmon dish as if I just ate it yesterday,even if it was years ago that I had them! I confess that there were a few instances that I instigated an invitation to have lunch with them (at their home) because I really loved her cooking.  (I don't think she will remember this!  Hahaha!) Through the years, she would send us food which we welcomed with open arms.  Who would say no to good food right?  Then last week, when I came back from my Hong Kong trip - a pack of frozen Vietnamese Spring Rolls welcomed me! My mom volunteered to cook it for us one lunch.  I knew it was going to be good since it came from Auntie Cata!  Auntie Cata is one who wouldn't scrimp on ingredients.  That is her trademark actually - that she will use only the finest ingredients to everything that she will make.  That's what I like about her cooking to b...

We are definitely late bloomers.  I have to confess, when I saw that people were going gaga over Frozen.  I didn't want anything to do with it.  I thought that it was just another 'fairy tale' movie.  And I wanted my daughter not to have the damsel in distress attitude and so I skipped the whole Frozen craze.  But then one night (I think it was February), my Panget suddenly announced what we were to watch that night on TV.  He said we were going to watch 'Frozen'.  Darnit!  I told my Panget that I didn't want the 'princess' thing!  But we had no choice - the kids were glued on the TV. After watching 'Frozen' I realized that I assumed wrong on the princess thing.  Disney was able to move past the damsel in 'distress I need a prince' thing and was able to make a wonderful story about sisters and their love for each other.  I now know why it was such a phenomenon!   For the weeks and months that passed - it was a Frozen Fe...

Happy Anniversary to the Starbucks Card Philippines! Can you believe that its been almost a year already? As a treat to all of us Starbucks fanatics: Here's all of the Starbucks Cards that was launched in the country.  Do you have all of them???

Japan is truly an amazing place. I am constantly in awe of their country, the sights, the cleanliness, the helpfulness and everything Japanese. A few months ago, we went to Osaka.  As with every trip, I bring a trolley type hand carry for Kailee's things.  In it were jackets (since it was still cool during April-May) water, milk bottle, snacks, books, medicines and extra clothes. When we arrived in Osaka - we decided immediately to visit Rinku Premium Outlets.  We decided on this because the area was nearest to the airport.  We didn't want to go back and forth - we felt that it was a waste of time.  So to kill the curiosity of the outlet - we hit it right after we landed.  The Japanese made everything convenient.  They had a shuttle bus that travelled to and from the Airport to Rinku Outlets.  Since my Panget, Kailee and I had 2 bags between us - I was in charge of Kailee's stroller (which she uses) and the hand carry.  Within 15 minute...

Finally! Our very OWN Philippine Starbucks card!  I was so excited when I learned that Starbucks Philippines would be launching the FIRST edition Philippine Starbucks card!  Yahooo!  Something that we can call our very own.  And here's a sneak peak on what it looks like: Nice right?  I agree 100% with Starbucks that they chose this particular design.  The Philippine Eagle symbolizes so much of our culture and I am so proud to have been witness to this launching. Starting July 29, 2014 - the First Edition Philippine Starbucks Card will be available in stores!  For the first three days of the launch (July 29 to July 31, 2014) for very P1,500.00 activation on the Philippine Starbucks Card - you will receive an additional P300.00 load to your card!  Sweet, right?? And as a tribute to the First Edition Philippine Starbucks Card - there is the Philippine Starbucks Card Tumbler that sports the same design.  From July 29 to August 31 -...

The first time I tried Tim Ho Wan was in North Point last year.  We were brought there by my Panget's cousin and I think I was the happiest chowing down so many barbecued pork buns!  Since his cousin was under the weather last week, we decided to have 'merienda' by ourselves.  And since we were in Central, I suggested that we walk to IFC.  Central has this massive covered walkways - so we walked on it towards IFC.  It was a relaxing walk - it wasn't crowded when we were there (it was about 2-3pm) when we reached IFC I asked the friendly attendant where Tim Ho Wan was - we were told to go down one level and then another level - and that it was on the MTR building.   So I followed his instructions. Gosh, this was the tricky part because - well, there were so many escalators going on different directions that I didn't know which to take!  We were going around the IFC Mall and getting lost for about 15 minutes, when finally - we were led to the right p...

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When I hear Hong Kong, the first thing that comes to mind is FOOD!  Yes, I think since I was little, I was led to believe that Chinese food in Hong Kong is the best - until now, I still believe this to be true.  So whenever I go to Hong Kong, I am sure to eat my fill of Chinese food. For the past few years, I have staple restaurants that I go to.  This year, with Kailee and my Panget - we decided in places that we haven't eaten before.  On top of the list is Fu Sing Seafood Restaurant.  I read about it online and was so sure where it was located.  I was convinced that it was located at the back of Din Tai Fung in Causeway Bay but then was confused.  I then asked a friend and was told that it was on the same building as DTF.  Ohhhhkay!  So THIS was the restaurant on the second floor - where we go up when we need to go to the toilet!  Argh..  I didn't know! So on our second day, after a tiring but fruitful trip to Ikea - I ...

QCSC aka Quezon City Sports Club is our go to place when we don't have a cook.  Here, we get to just order the food and either bring it home or eat it there.  Plus there's a playground (not the cleanest, but it'll do - just to keep the kids entertained)  If you ask me, the quality of the food is just alright.  It's not the best and its not very bad - I think it falls in the middle category of the ' pwede na' but it's convenient since its nearby and familiar. One lazy Saturday afternoon, we decided to go to lunch at QCSC and it was suggested by our resident waiter to order the Pumpkin Seafood Pot.  Wow!  I thought it was new!  Cool, right?  I didn't know what to expect but, lo and behold - this was served to us: Surprise!  Surprise! It was good!  I think I will want to order this the next time we visit!  Hehehe.. New (late) discovery for me and my Panget!!

I know it's too early to make another post, but I can't help it.  I really love pizza and I think Gino's Brick Oven Pizza deserves another entry here! So I have been craving for pizza and decided that I wanted to eat at Gino's.  I can't stop thinking about the burrata and the pizzas! I ordered only one pizza because it was just 4 adults, plus we got 3 pastas!  My Panget said that he didn't like the feeling of a 'carbo' load.  I on the other hand, welcome it!  Hahaha.. These are what we got: Summer Salad with Burrata I'm sorry but this what was left.  I was too excited to eat it and when I remembered to take a picture, this was what was left.  I'm sorry.  But this was good!  Although, I still prefer just the burrata.  My Panget was the one who insisted the salad part.  But it's good rin naman  Classic Carbonarra Who doesn't love Carbonarra?  I personally love it!  It's a comfort food for me. ...

The Secret Behind Better Ingredients, Better Pizza Papa John’s offers sumptuous pizzas that will definitely score a high five. Do you ever wonder why  Papa John’s is one of the best Pizza Restaurants? Here are at least five reasons why: 1) The Dough   When was the last time you ordered pizza, which came   with real dough (and not biscuit)? Or when was the last time you   ordered pizza that wasn't oily? Minus good dough pizza isn't a pizza. Papa John's dough is baked fresh. It's hot, it's soft, and it's chewy - nice!   2) Ingredients Pizzas are topped with generous servings, while pastas and sides ooze with flavor - the merry mix of ingredients feel like they dance on your palate.   They say they are "Better Pizza. Better Ingredients". Must be. It really does make a difference when ingredients are fresh. You'd see and taste it. 3) Pizza Variety  "Super Papa" is Papa John's top of the line with the ...

When I get sick.  I just let the virus take its course.  I usually am better within a few days.  But ever since I gave birth - well, the incubation time is longer than I what I was used to.  It takes a week or two for me to get better. Case in point - my current cough and colds. I had this really bad allergies ever since the start of the raining season.  I was able to contain it by taking allergy medicines - and also with the help of my newly discovered NetiPot.  But after a week - I realized that it wasn't allergies anymore.  It was a full blown colds. Last week, my Panget said he has cough - and pointed to me as Patient Zero.  Hello?!  I wasn't coughing, kaya !  But then after a day or two - I had cough.  It was manageable - I wasn't coughing so bad.  But, I was blowing my nose left and right.  I think I spent so much on tissues already!  And since I was blowing my nose like crazy - it was drying up and was st...