Social & Business Etiquette Basics, John Robert Powers Manila

With all the food-tastings, events and formal dinner invitations, I knew I was bound to encounter foodie experiences like my recent Thanksgiving Dinner at the exclusive Cafe 9501, Hotel Buffets like Sofitel's Spiral, Enderun-type and Culinary Restaurants, 5-Course Meals like what we had in Society Lounge or other fine dining and multi-cuisine restaurants like Aubergine especially this holiday season. Learning the ropes of social and business etiquette, understanding table settings, cutlery and seating arrangements when it comes to dining took around 2 hours with John Robert Powers.

The New Red Box Manila

Music is an integral part of my life and I think it has a lot to do with my name. In the past months, the radio always kept me company whenever I work. I think their playlists should include more Christmas songs, especially now that it's December already. When I've grown tired of waiting, I might just go back to Red Box in Eastwood to experience the new karaoke scene in the metro - to sing, to dance, to listen, to eat, to drink, to play, to work, to go online, to be with friends and to rock and roll. 

On Goodbyes in Manila

All the tears began to well up inside. It's a mix of gratitude and of a strong desire to see them again soon. At some point, you think of how great it is to have them greet you with a smile every morning and the unusual bountiful feast you have every day at every meal. The confusion that goes into choosing to be with something that will end soon over a few hours of work, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where everyone you care about are there for example, can leave you in limbo for a few weeks too. Somewhere in Manila tonight, there were hugs, kisses, pictures, conversations, songs and dances of goodbyes. 

Kashmir Indian Food in Makati

J surprised me one day and said we were going Indian for the night. I had my first taste of Indian food when an Indian elder brought us to this Indian restaurant in Shanghai and I've loved it ever since especially the sweet, sweet dessert called Gulabjamun. My picks gradually extended to Mango Lassi in Beijing and finally, Masala and Palak Paneer here in Manila back when New Bombay Restaurant first opened in Wilson Street in Greenhills (J got his first taste from this one). Time for Kashmir Indian Restaurant in Makati! They serve Indian, Malaysian and Middle Eastern Cuisine.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Manila, by US Potato Board and USDA

This was my first ever Thanksgiving Dinner and Turkey bird experience. It was made special by the invitation from the USDA Potato Board and the US Department of Agriculture. It was also held at the Restaurant 9501 in Quezon City and the dishes were specially whipped up and prepared for us by Chef Myrna Segismundo.

Papa John's Jr. Papa's Meal in Manila

I grew up with Pizza Hut, Shakey's, Sbarro, Greenwich and Domino's when it comes to pizza cravings in Manila. Over the years, players like Yellow Cab, California Pizza Kitchen, Brooklyn Pizza, Don Henrico's Pizza, Sicilian Pizza, Sandy's Pizza, Calda Pizza had slowly introduced me to even more variety of specialty pizzas in all shapes and sizes. I was already having a hard time choosing among all of them. Now, there's one more contender vying for my attention. I hear of Papa John's coming to Manila for the first time almost a year ago.

Nomama Tomas Morato

I did a post a while back on the significance of having noodles in my life. Naturally, I said yes to my friends when I heard there's a new ramen shop in town. Nomama was located a street away (parallel) from Tomas Morato across Max's Fried Chicken.

Pizza Hut Manila Tuscani Pizza!

Meatlovers, please! This is how I remember our family Pizza Hut ordering days when everybody was at home during summers or weekends. It didn't matter if the crust was thick or if it was oily or if there was only hot sauce and no chili flakes yet at that time. What mattered was - even my mom was game to give us money to order that pizza and we would always look forward to those afternoon pizza snack with the family together. We're all grown up now, with our different sets of lifestyles, eating habits, healthy options and soon-to-be separate lives. 911-1111 was a thing of the past for me until J and I had a Pizza Hut Bistro dinner in Megamall. This shot was taken via Blackberry so pardon the quality.

Chocolate 101 at Heavenly Chocolates

I got a tall Honeydew Bubble Tea to curb my cravings before we headed to the Heavenly Chocolates. Better be prepared or succumb to the temptations of chocolate from the Heavenly Chocolates Nama Chocolate collection. 

Pearl Milk Tea in Wilson Greenhills Manila

I've had this drink two times in a row this past long weekend. The whole house is just craving for pearl milk teas, it seems. Chew loudly, Sip Mightily. Order a big one (at P100) and Say Ahhh...

KFC Zinger Double Down is in Manila!

My three all-time favorite things to eat in KFC are the Zinger, the Macaroni Salad and the Chicken Strips Meal. Let me tell you why. It's a given that almost everything in KFC tastes good. How I came up with the two chicken favorites is simple really, there are no bones to bite into and I used to eat them in college for a quick and non-messy lunch or dinner. Sadly, the third is no longer in the menu.. Along comes the KFC Double Down craze a few months back and I said no thank you. Then came the KFC Zinger Double Down in my kitchen counter just recently thanks to J. Zinger was the magic word that keeps me coming back to KFC.

Flapjacks Power Breakfast

I'm not fond of eating breakfast. It usually means "store up because you'll need it for what you're about to do before lunch" like hiking or sports activities or travel time on a bus or studying or working or too much brain activity. I almost always hear my stomach already growling before 11 a.m. if I wake up early and eat breakfast. I tell you, it gets really annoying. But how can I refuse when J asked me out for a Flapjacks breakfast the night before?

Balikbayan in Manila

You know there's a Balikbayan from the States in Manila when the you see these (at least in my case)...

On Reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

I was first introduced to Les Miserables through a cartoon show that I chanced upon as a kid of ten in Hong Kong. I didn't know what it was all about, it was dubbed into Cantonese. All I remember was a scene of an old man holding the hand of a little girl with a pretty doll on her other arm. That was it and I had concluded that it was a good film to watch. Les Miserables was stuck with me ever since. Whenever I heard of it, I would say, "Someday, I would watch the Broadway Show or maybe find that cartoon or read the book and I would finally know the story of this childhood favorite." In time, I managed to buy a copy of the book that I would finally discover in my stash just a few months ago, still untouched and unread. I was resolved to read it when I had the time. I grew concerned that I never seemed to have enough (time) and although I was excited to read about the next few pages, I would find myself putting the book down due to something like sleep, exhaustion or work time.

Sol Gelato: Goodbye 290 Days of Being Cocoa-Free

I made sure I didn't eat chocolate for 290 days. It took me the whole year of constantly giving the temptation up. I was fine that I wasn't gonna taste 12 towering scoops of Sol Gelato. I made a request to separate one non-chocolate flavor for me. I was fine with Mascarpone gelato.

Food Galore at Venice Piazza, Platter for 8

I was a mighty Plus One on this day. There were 14 platters to choose from and we were only 5. To be a glutton by glancing is what happens when there are so many choices in front of you, when a swarm of eager waiters from each restaurant approaches the table and you're hungry. There's Blackwood Bistro, Carlo's Pizza, Empire Deli, KBOP, Kuse, Little Asia, Old Vine Grille, Pincho's Restaurant and Bar, Ramen Bar, The Red Crab, Sol Gelato, Stacker's Burger Cafe, Sweet Pea and Tokyo Cafe.

Watch 3D at Resorts World Manila! - What to Do, A Long Weekend Suggestion

J and I went to watch Puss in Boots in 3D at the Newport Cinemas the other day and I finally got a breakthrough in watching 3D cartoons. I think my fear developed out of my Disneyland and Universal Studios 4D experiences, the ones where the droids or aliens or terminators and even Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse or swarms of insects are in front of you. I would always place my 3D glasses half-way down my nose to remind me that everything was not real. I would never pay attention to the story and I passed on the chance to watch Shrek and even Toy Story in 3D. Yes, I let cartoons torture me then and I have a super active imagination.

With Dad at Yue Lai Restaurant Manila

I had the opportunity to dine with Dad one-on-one this month. Some time during the meal, he just smiled and said, "It's (Eating this and eating like this is) so simple, right?" I marveled at how opportunities for appreciating the grace of eating with the family were so rare nowadays and how simple a happy day can be created. By the end of this simple Chinese meal, I finally realized where my love for food, traveling, China, the Chinese language and music came from. I actually can't believe that I had forgotten at all. It was no accident that I chose to be a travel blogger and it has been brewing ever since I was a child.

Unlimited Cravings Festival

While a lot of mall-goers took the opportunity of a payday weekend coinciding with a sale period, my friend and I were busy shopping in a non-sale mall and enjoying the Unlimited Cravings Festival in Shangri-La. It was a very happy Sunday dinner. Imagine, P450 for unlimited Cravings salad, soup, roasted chicken, dessert, coffee, cake and iced tea! I didn't notice the come in a full orange outfit and get it for free part until today.

Spanish Tapas at Cirkulo Restaurant

The Filipino tapa has always been one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast when I'm on a provincial trip or for a midnight snack at Tapa King. As we left the Cirkulo restaurant, I became aware that my new favorite dish is categorized as Tapas with an S in Spanish. I saw the Tapas Festival celebration and incidentally chanced upon a PDI article about "The many flavors of 'tapas'" by Rina Jimenez-David. I came to understand that the initial fascination with Tapas started with association with Tapa and the curiosity grew because of an extraordinary dinner at El Cirkulo.

Blogger Manila and New Jollibee Menu Picks!

Blogger Manila just celebrated it's first year in the blogosphere! Many thanks to Jonel for the invitation and for including us in the Jollibee party. You were one of the first bloggers that J introduced me to in my early years of attending blogging events and gigs. Thank you for always being around and congratulations on your most recent awards and milestones. I acknowledge you for creating the Blogger Manila apprentice program and being of service to fellow bloggers. Lastly, thank you for the prize and the new Jollibee experience =)

Easy Pha-Max Wheatgrass Stories

I'm not a horse, you can't make me eat grass. I swallowed one big gulp of wheatgrass in S&R and I tasted grass for the first time. I smiled at the lady who gave me a very generous serving, turned around and walked away.

Blogapalooza Manila and Pure Imagination

I was invited to be a part of the first ever Blogapalooza in Manila and I came as Girl Kuripot. I was on the hunt for new opportunities and to be a part of a new, old community. Old because it is actually made up of friends whom I've grown to love and appreciate especially this past year when I finally chose to be a blogger myself. New because there were more people there whom I don't really know yet and it made me present to how much I can still grow both in blogging and in creating relationships. I wanted to say that I'm more than Girl Kuripot and this post along with the reviews of the companies that caught my attention in that event rightfully belongs and is most appropriate to Manila Overload. 

Thai Dara in Gilmore, New Menu Picks

One of the things I love about coupon sites is that I get to try out new food at an old favorite restaurant. My eyes widened when I saw Thai Dara. No doubt about it, one coupon was sold in Manila.

NACI Dessert Bar in Greenhills!

Let's all drool over together and give it up for NACI Comfort Food & Dessert Bar in Fox Square Greenhills! Naci is named after Nacy Nocom, the restaurateur behind the former Cosmopolitan Bar and the husband of celebrity Lovely Rivero. Together with daughter Nadine and son Nate, they have decided to give us some comfort food and desserts that is meant to be shared with family and friends. This post is dedicated to chocolate and dessert lovers. If you are a comfort food lover, please visit the post before this.

NACI Comfort Food in Greenhills!

The long wait is over. Now, there's a new restaurant that serves food to crave for in Greenhills, to add to my recent encounter with Yumemiya's Curry Udon! NACI Comfort Food & Dessert Bar opens this October 16, 2011!

Winebar at Cafe 1771

The Winebar is nestled "upstairs", just above the Cafe 1771 in El Pueblo, Ortigas. It looked like a quiet fine dining place and felt like a secret library or secret society (with the matching "books", some gentlemen's chairs and quiet corners). I was impressed with the ambiance before I got to the food.

Yumemiya Cafe's Curry Udon

I absolutely hate curry and onion, both big and small chunks, while I absolutely love soup noodles and beef. What happens if you combine my two extremes all in one dish? It gets to be the center of the conversation for this post.

Flapjacks is Back... Better... Best!

J and I had a great time re-trying out Flapjacks in Greenhills the other day. We haven't been here for years. They have 4 "new" dishes that have been revived from the Chef's old signature menu. The come-Back was truly a Better Flapjacks in terms of service and food choices. I'll reveal my Best out of the four below. By the way, J is giving away a Flapjacks GC in his blog.

Stand-Up Comedy in Manila

I told you about The Grillery and their superb buffalo wings a few reviews ago. I didn't tell you about the stand-up comedy show that was staged upstairs while I was there. I was actually there for the launch of The Suplado Show of Stanley Chi and get my Suplado mug. Read more about the show here.

Food Trip: MAGYAR for Under P350, Hungarian Food in Manila for 2!

I had my first taste of Goulash with Sauerkraut in MAGYAR more than a year ago and I hadn't forgotten it ever since. I was so sold on that particular dish that I wouldn't order anything else on the menu. Then I fell in love with the Spaetzle that came with some of the paprika dishes. It's Hungarian dumplings that I substitute for rice and I still can't pronounce it. I would always end up in my own world and putting my Spaetzle in the Goulash. MAGYAR is listed in My Favorite Guiltless Restaurant Picks in Manila.

Eating a Society Lounge 5-Course Meal!

It was a repeat of our holiday French degustation last year, divided by two since it's not yet Christmas. My siblings and I went out together for a Friday dinner date at Society Lounge in Makati. Attire for the night was "dressy". 

Yen Yen Taiwan Street Food in Gilmore

I know J loves Taiwan food and I was on the lookout for it in Manila for our next food trip. I found an article online which introduced Yen Yen in Gilmore as the place for cheap foodie finds. 

Alexandre, French Lounge in Manila

If I'm looking for a quiet place for a business meeting or to hang out with girlfriends or work online in my laptop, I think I'll go to Alexandre at Fort Bonifacio again. You could order food to share and spend the day in this French patisserie slash lounge and perfume shop. J and I took a few hours to finish the big servings.

Saturday Legaspi Market in Makati

After 2 rounds around the Legaspi Market, I finally chose what I was going to have for lunch - The P30 Melon Juice. There were too many expensive choices and too many people for me at 12 pm. My sister bought pasta with Mussels drowned in Vodka Sauce. 

On Losing Weight

I'm dreading the tasks I have to do to lose weight again ever since I realized I ate too much from my Mindanao trip a few weeks ago. My thought at that time was to eat as much as I can and what was available because it was already right in front of me so freely given and that I don't know when I'd be back in GenSan. Now, I'm faced with how to lose weight in Manila and still go on those awesome food trips with J. I've figured something out last night.

Currently Craving The Grillery's Buffalo Wings

The Grillery was a good find for another comfort food - signature Buffalo Wings. The place reminded me of the lineup of restaurants in the UP Teacher's Village, only this one was not out of the way in Guijo Street, Makati. The first thing I said was, "May ganito pala sa Makati." Just imagine being in a remodeled house with walls covered in art. Then for food and entertainment, there's buffalo wings, good old barbeque, Tanduay ice and stand-up comedy.

My Estrel's Dessert Comes First

It was 6 p.m. and I didn't care if dessert came first. I've always been a Hizon's Cake fan and I've stopped eating their mocha cake because of my cocoa sensitivity. I switched to Carrot Cakes and Estrel's Caramel Cakes a few years ago and it meant that I can still eat my dessert merrily around people devouring their moist chocolate cakes. Today, there was an Estrel's Caramel Cake in the fridge waiting for me and I wanted an icing rush reward.

All-in-One Light Munchie in Pho Hoa!

I found light food that is good for my rainy days and when I'm a little sick. It's not rice. It's salad, noodles, appetizer and main course all-in-one! I stumbled upon it in an old favorite joint at Greenbelt 1 - Pho Hoa!

All-Day, All-Night Tapas in Manila!

I wonder where I put all these food... I'm still eating and craving for tapa whenever I'm in Manila at past 12 midnight. There's always Tapa King and there's Rufo's Famous Tapa, both open for 24 hours. By the way, there's a Tapa King inside the Lau Pa Sat Festival Market too (24-hour hawker in Singapore, but it was closed when we went there, only we have 24 hours in Manila)!

Hainanese Chicken: Comfort Food for the Sick J!

There are certain privileges when you are sick and for J, me agreeing to eat Hainanese Chicken. We were almost on our way to Yoshinoya when he saw Hainanese Delights in Robinsons Galleria. The dish always gets J's attention from Chocolate Kiss to Singapore.

A Taste of Philly!

I was supposed to try Goodfellas in QC for their burgers! My eyes darted towards the Philly Cheese Steak on the menu. I had my very first Philly Cheesesteak in Philadelphia and I thought one 12-inch cut in half was enough for our Greyhound trip onto the next state. My sister and I ended up finishing it in around 10 minutes after we got on the bus. Every now and then, there would be another restaurant who will attempt to bring the Philly Cheesesteak here.

Jumbo Yoshinoya Double Beef Treat!

I've known Mr. Boy Kuripot J for 10 years now and we met in a Taiwan trip where we were also first introduced to Yoshinoya. Now that I think about it and established the connection, it's been 10 years since I started eating only Beef Gyudon in Yoshinoya. Today, I've got a confession to make and no, it's not TT's Beef Misono. Old habits die hard and new ones can always emerge.

Singapore Food Hangover!

It seems I'm still a little hung over after my 2 consecutive Singapore trips. I'd jump at the chance when I see Singapore food in Manila now. I talked about the Bottomless Pit Syndrome in this post. I've heard about Shiok at the Fort, too bad we were only there for a quick merienda.

Taco Bell Manila

My sister and I had a first taste of Taco Bell in New York. It was particularly memorable not for the food but because the Mexican counter lady got angry at us when we didn't hear/understand her shout that our order was ready. When we came home and the first Taco Bell eventually opened in Manila, it was something I wanted to try out again, probably to inject some form of food memory into that first encounter. I was with J one evening and we were out of time for an event in Gateway. It was the perfect time to test how fast they serve at Taco Bell.

Something Other Than Kebab for a Change!

I thought Uncle Moe's only had shawarmas and shawarma rice. I used to wonder why J kept coming back. It just so happened that there was a coupon again and there's kebab too.

Big Better Burgers!

J would never refuse a burger. He cleverly dropped hints to try out this burger joint he saw for a "quick snack" when I told him I was hungry after the Blogger Fiesta Event at SM North Edsa last Saturday. I believe I would quickly follow his cravings after this. We just found Big Better Burgers!

You, Kebaber?

I consider myself a Kebab-Hunter now. I remember how J used to rave about it and I would deny his request to eat at a restaurant because I knew I didn't like it even though I can't remember the details of the first time he made me eat a piece. When I tried Mister Kabab in QC and Behrouz's kebab with buttered rice in Wilson, I was hooked and ended up craving for this when the clock strikes 12 a.m. and I'm still outside. J and I came across Kebabers at the GT Tower 5th floor cafeteria in Makati. 

Last-Minute Kyss

Because of the recent coupon site phenomena, J and I got to try out Kyss Cafe across the A-Venue Mall in Makati. (There is a list of all coupon sites known to me here in Manila by the way.) It was the last day of claiming for us last-minute folks and a whole lot of bar chow for 2 people!

Affordable Never-Fail Comfort Food in Manila

I'm working back in time. I fell in love with this ever since it first came out. When I want fast take out and I'm not with anyone, I make it a point to spoil myself and eat my never-fail comfort food. I can only find the same great taste in the Philippines and in every corner of Manila. Cha-Dan! Haha.

5 Rounds of Sofitel Spiral Buffet!

I remember the times when I was young, when my dad and I would be the only ones left standing during our hotpot days with the family. We were the champions and we would split what's left and just kept on eating happily while my mom and my sisters patiently watched. That was a long time ago and ended when that restaurant eventually disappeared. At this age, it's all about buffets now for us, particularly Sofitel, and variety instead of the hotpot days where everything tasted like satay.

Love Changes Everything

Eight amazing people sang of love and how it changes everything in Manila tonight. It was love for theater that inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber to make his music. It is my love for music that made me come and watch tonight. I've only seen The Phantom of the Opera in Broadway and Cats in Manila. Now, I would love to see Evita, Tell Me on a Sunday and Aspects of Love. The experience of live music about love for country, self-less love, selfish love, fun love, love for self, love for a dream, love against all odds and all other kinds of love have triggered a last song syndrome that will probably keep me humming for the next few days.

Musical Surprise in Manila!

Big gifts come in small packages. I'm watching a musical in Manila tomorrow because of a conversation with my sister today. What a way to bring back music into my life.

Cecon Advance Multivitamins Challenge

You may have noticed my chocolate counter on the side. I have not eaten cocoa (the only food allergen in my list) in half a year and I did it for my well-being. The counter keeps the commitment alive. Today, I am doing another challenge: taking the new Cecon Advance for 31 straight days. I'll put another counter below my first one.

Travel Blogger's World

I woke up disempowered and like everything was wrong again. Then I came across Gael's (The Pinay Solo Backpacker) post about how she was detained in Singapore. Even then, I was grateful for my career choice after all that might happen to me in the future. It just started sinking in - I am a travel blogger and I'm living the life I want. There is nothing wrong with that. 

The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams. — Oprah Winfrey

Sunday Feast

What could make different people cook Spicy Tuna Pasta when there's Clam Chowder and Homemade Brewed Iced Tea already? What could draw more sisters out to get some more of Conti's Palabok and Herbed Fish Fillet takeout for lunch? What could lure multiple families out for dinner to eat a set of Cereal Prawns, Soft-Shell Crabs, Shark's Fin Soup, Peking Duck, Beef Tenderloin, Noodles and Sherbet? It is something I dress up for and something that I will happily grow fat over.

Violation List for Manila Drivers!

I'm a new Manila driver and I'm scared of burly policemen. Rather than dwell on their corrupt image, I want to focus on learning more about being a safe driver. I didn't go to driving school and I'm not sure if they even discuss about these violations and penalties.

Go Try Out Barre3 NOW!

I've just heard that they're doing away with the Free Barre3 Philippines First-Timer Trials starting July 1, 2011! I've been raving about it for a few months now, especially when Isla (one of my favorite Barre3 instructors) told us after a workout to go and take the energy we've created to the people we love and those around us. It inspired me that day of who I can become for other people.

It's Been a Long Time

It's also been a long time since I had cravings to eat the best steak in town. I used to eat beef every day of my every meal and I would always choose it over pork, veggies, fruits, other seafood, chicken and fish (in that order). I guess the year started differently with a friend who introduced me to the benefits of good health. I've begun trying out other types of food and actually liked eating in smaller portions. I've also fallen in love with Barre3 (Yoga, Pilates and Ballet mix at The Spa) and I feel unusually energized after a challenging workout.