the canDIshhh tales

Friends and food.  That's what happened two days ago when we tried Paradise Dynasty .  I was with mommy bloggers (turned real life friends) and we had such a wonderful time together eating and laughing.  It was as if we planned it as a day off (together), because that two hour break felt like it was a day off.  We laughed, ate a lot of #XiaoLongBao, tried new dishes and enjoyed one another's company. Special thanks to Marj for arranging this - I can't thank you enough because I really enjoyed the taste test with friends. Okay, so Paradise Dynasty.  I honestly knew about this restaurant when I went to Singapore early this year.  It was recommended by a friend, but we never got to try it there.  I was very happy to learn that they've opened a branch here in Manila!  Paradise Dynasty is located at the 2nd level of S Maison, the mall connected with the Conrad Hotel.  We were greeted by warm smiles and led to the main dining area - it had ...

Power Plant Mall is a place that I'm not very partial to.  I find the mall has very limited choices in shopping and places to eat.  While I have staples, my Panget always tell me to pick a new one. Yesterday, I was honestly surprised when my Panget said that he wanted to go to Power Plant.  We agreed the Friday before that we would just stay home on Sunday (Valentine's Day) because we're expecting it to be crowded everywhere.  We just needed to eat out because our helper was on day-off.  I was honestly expecting a simple lunch at QC Sports.  So his decision to go to Power Plant, well - I was caught off guard. The first thing on my mind was - *where will we have lunch?*  This is a forever question when we're at Power Plant.  As I said before the choices are limited.  When my Panget asked me where I wanted to eat - I only had one answer *Mamou* and he said yes.  I was surprised!  Well, maybe because it's Valentine's that's why he ...

We so enjoyed our meal in Green Pastures more than a month ago, that we decided to come back last Sunday.  Here is my previous post on Green Pastures .  We were ready for the wait - we got there at 11am and the place was still empty.  I left my name and funny that the staff remembered it, strange right?  I guess, I am not forgettable and very charming?  Just kidding.  So I told her that we'd like to be listed for the 12noon and she obliged.  But after walking around the mall, my Panget realized that it was nearing 12noon and we walked to Green Pastures.  When the staff saw me, she immediately led the way - we had a table!  Yahoo!! Ordering was quite a task.  I wanted to get everything on the menu.  I was so confused on what to get that ordering for both me and my Panget took a while.  We got the Autumn Salad, Duck You Fries, Duck Fat Fried Chicken, Porchetta and Fish and Chips.   This is the Autumn Salad and it...

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 ...

Kettle has been in my radar for a long time now.  Ever since seeing it on my IG feeds and posts of my fellow bloggers.  I became curious.  Unfortunately - I've never had the chance to try the restaurant.  It was always full whenever we go.  We were always more the 12th in line.  And since we're always with the kids - their tummies cannot wait. Yesterday morning, my Panget decided to head to Shangri-La Mall.  While in the car, we were already discussing where to have lunch.  It was Panget who decided on Maple.  But I wanted to try my luck in a different restaurant.  So when we got to the mall at 11:15, the first thing I did was go to Maple - but they weren't accepting reservations - we weren't that hungry yet, so we thought of walking around the mall.  While window shopping - I told my Panget that I will try my luck at Kettle.  So I went up to Kettle and left my name and number - my name was 6th in line.  I met up with my...

In all honesty - two of my favorite food in the world!  Pizza and doughnuts, and yes they're housed in the same spot along Katipunan in Quezon City. I knew of Cello's doughnuts from way back in 2006 - I was gifted by my friend Kim a box of their assorted mini doughnuts for Christmas.  I especially loved the cheese doughnut - I think it was called ensaymada doughnut before.  As for Gino's Brick Oven Pizza, I've been hearing about it from my friend Kath and Fran, but I never got the chance to try it. Early this year, I learned that my good friends Brian and his wife invested into the company.  I was very excited because I love pizzas and doughnuts!  Here's a preview of what we ordered: Burata When I posted this on my IG, I got a LOT of reactions! Brian says that their Burata run out fast!  As in really really fast!  So come in early to be able to order this! I loved the texture and taste of this simple yet very flavorful appetizer,...

I have been passing by this place for more than a year now.  I've been getting flyers on my car when I hear Mass at nearby St. Paul the Apostle parish.  I've seen IG feeds of the food they serve courtesy of the #SoMoms. I've been quite curious actually but never brought myself to try the place out.  I finally got to try it a few months ago!  And I'm happy to have an addition to my list of good Pinoy food restaurants in my area! The place is really clean - from the outside as well as the inside.  The interiors are modern, they used ceiling to floor glass windows to encase the restaurant which is brilliant if you ask me!   Natural light during the day and the place looks very well lit and inviting at night!  I also liked that the place is very quiet. Here's what we ate: Crispy Crablets These were really good, I liked that they were crispy and not makunat. Kailee and Connor enjoyed munching on the crablet legs! Chicken Binakol...

FINALLY got to try Ramen Nagi aka Butao Ramen (Manila) in SM Aura last Friday! :)  I have been really excited to try this place since it opened late last year.  Everyone who has tried it in Hong Kong has been raving about it and it got me curious. Most everyone I know who have tried this place (abroad) has been telling me to head on to Aura when the mall opens so that we won't need to wait that long to get seated.  Well, as luck would have it, we got there at 11:30am and luckily, since we were six, we immediately got a table.  Just a note, I found it really funny and odd that some patrons REFUSE to share a table.  There were two groups ahead of us and both refused to share a table with others.  They wanted a 'private' table thus, they needed to wait.  I admire the management of Ramen Nagi for insisting that patrons in 2s or 3s share a table, makes it more practical.  You're not there for the ambiance anyway - you're there for the food.  I l...