A Good Dinner at Zarzuela

Zarzuela is a Spanich lyric-dramatic genre which is spoken and sung scenes. It is a traditional art that was passed to us by the Spaniards during their colonization. Zarzuela was very famous during those time. Now, Zarzuela is one of the restaurant in the east wing of Shang Ri-La Mall that offers Filipino cuisine.

It was a friend birthday and she treated us to Zarzuela. The place has a plain white color which gives it a very light atmosphere. The staff are wearing bright orange pants that is heightened by the white surrounding.

For the appetizer we ordered their Sisig. It was very crunchy and tasty. The sisig has also just the right kick of spice. My friend who doesn't like spicy food was reluctant at first but she liked it ate and ate a lot of it.

We also ordered their Boneless Chicken Inasal. They have their homemade atchara to go with the dish. They were able to capture the well loved Bacolod Chicken Inasal.

My favorite dish is the Beef Tapa. It is a tender salty-sweet panfried US Beef that is shredded thinly. I love its sweet taste!

Another favorite is the Crab and Shrimp Relleno. It is formed into a cake that looks like a medium size ball with calamansi hollandaise.

A must try on their menu is the Krispy Binagoongan. The pork is just so tender and their bagoong is very tasteful. Not too salty, just made right!

For me, Zarsuela is not just a theater art of singing; it's a good place to dine after a hard day's of work!

Sweetness Meets Salts

I thought it was absurd at first to have salt in chocolates and caramels. The first time I tasted a salted chocolate was from my Boss who just came back from USA. He bought us an almond covered with salted chocolate. Since then I've been a fan of sweet foods that has a mixture of salt.

My ultimate favorite is the Salted Chocolate Cake from Wildflour Cafe + Bakery. Its a three layer moist cake with caramel filing in the middle. The cake is covered with rich chocolate icing. The salt mixed with the caramel in the middle. It compliments the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel. I've always ordered this cake whenever we go there or have it delivered. For more information on Wildflour and some of their best foods you may visit my post a taste of wildflour.

Sweet Spot Cafe in Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village also has a Salted Chocolate Cake. I was very excited when we went there and I saw that they have this on their Menu. The salt is mixed on the chocolate filing that is in the middle of the cake. Aside from Salted Chocolate, Sweet Spot Cafe also offers different cakes and pastas. You might be interested to check my post Wheres Your Sweet Spot to know more of what they can offer.

If you think cakes are too big for you and just want to have a bite of salted chocolates, you may try the Sea Salt Chocolate Cupcake from Gigi's Coffees and Cupcakes. I was very eager to visit their store when they open-up in Shang Ri-La Mall. Unlike the cakes, the salt in Gigi's Cupcake is sprinkled on top of chocolate glazed cupcake. The white salt is very evident on top of the cupcake.

Pancake House has a new food on their menu - Salted Caramel and Walnut Pancake. It's a pancake oozing with salted caramel sauce with whipped butter on top. The plate is full of chopped walnuts and  oat streusel.

Aside from these sinful sweet desserts, salt is also mixed with drinks. Last Ocotber, Starbucks introduced their salted caramel drink which can be enjoyed in hot, iced or frappuccino. Of course, I have tried it and liked it. However, it's only for a limited time and the drink was no longer available in any Starbucks branch.

Another salted caramel dessert is Mc Donald's Salted Caramel Sundae which is only offered for a limited time. I've been trying to get a taste of this dessert however it was always out. Luckily one night it was available at the Mc Donald's store near our office. It tastes like a caramel candy.

Although the sweet and salty mix might be a fad, I'm sure some of these food will remain for a longer time or even forever as long as they can tickle the taste buds of people.

For me, I'll try to search for other sweet and salty mixes.

A Sip of Coffee at Cafe de Lipa

Being a coffee addict, my day will never be complete if I have not drink at least three cups of coffee in a day. Coffee is my companion while studying. I also drink coffee before I sleep. 

One night, while walking along Market Market Mall, I saw a coffee shop. I was a bit upset with our diner so I asked my sister if we can have a hot coffee before going home. My sister agreed and we went inside the coffee shop.

Upon entering the store, I immediately noticed the their ceiling. Their name - Cafe de Lipa - is in their ceiling. I was really amazed by the creativity of the design. 

By the name of the store it simply means that their coffee came from Lipa, Batangas. The home of Barako coffee which is known for its strong aroma and taste. At that very moment I know that I will definitely love their coffee.

The set-up of the place is very much like Filipino. The chairs and tables are made of wood which resembles a typical furniture at a Filipino house. A painting showing the scenery of Lipa and coffee is hanging on the wall of the Cafe.

We ordered for a hot Cappuccino and Mocha Latte. Their coffee is much cheaper than other coffee stores. Their tallest cup would only cost you a hundred. They even make coffee art.

Aside from coffee they also have cakes and pastries. They also sell bag of coffee beans all made from their Lipa. 

The place is very quiet and less crowded. It's a very nice place to read books and relax. However, since it was already late in the evening we were unable to stay much longer.

The next time I go to Market Market I will definitely drink another cup of coffee at Cafe de Lipa.

Nike We Run Manila 2013

The long wait for the Nike We Run Manila is finally over. The run which was participated by 15,000 people happened last December 1 at Marikina Sports Complex. An early SMS at 4AM was sent by Runrio team advising all runners to come early on the event because of expected high influx of people coming to Marikina. They have also send and SMS about their shuttle service for runners. 

The Nike Run Manila 2013 is still part of the Nike We Run Series. The run series started last August at Prague, Czech Republic and will have its last leg on Jakarta, Indonesia on December 15. Philippines is the 24th country for the race.

We arrived at the Marikina Sports Complex at 2:30PM. The drizzles of rain does not stopped the runners at coming to place. The Oval in the Marikina Sports Complex serves as the activity center and the Basketball Court is turned into a baggage area. The baggage area was systematically arranged by the runners number.

The Baggage Area

Even though it rained, it was still a humid afternoon. You will already be dehydrated just waiting for the gun start because humid atmosphere combined with the huge number of runners all compressed on the starting line. It feels like any moment there might be a stampede.

Camera hovering over the runners

Residents cheering the runners

The route of the marathon covers public streets and some residential areas. It was heart warming and encouraging when the residents were applauding and cheering the runners. You will hear them shouting  "just keep running" or "it's almost there". It somehow helps the runners to keep moving. However, since its a residential areas, there are streets that are narrow which makes running very hard and bumping with other runners cannot be avoided. There are also lots of turns. If there are cheering residents, there are also the irate motorists that are stuck on the traffic because of the run.

Running in the residential areas

One of the few wide streets of the race

After the run, bands like ChicoSci performed at the Sports Ground. Some runners stayed and enjoyed the performance of the band.

Almost there...

Runners approaching the Finish Line

The Finish Line

The Finisher Shirt 

You may check my post for the Nike Run last year at the finisher: nike we run mnl 2012

Where's your Sweet Spot?

A friend has been convincing me to have a walk in Sikatuna, Quezon City for us to try some of the restaurants found in the place. She saw some of the restaurants or establishments in Sikatuna were featured in a television show. 

One Saturday afternoon, we decided to have a stroll at Sikatuna with some other friends. The boyfriend of our office mate acts as our tour guide. He lives in the place and has tried almost all the food establishments in there. The restaurants are lined up on both sides of the road. Most common establishments are burger stands.

After seeing all the restaurants and food establishment we chose Sweet Spot. The restaurant food varies from pastas, sandwiches, rice meals and cakes. They offer fruit shakes, ice blended beverages and coffee for drinks.

Since it was our first time, we asked their friendly crew on what should we try. They suggest that we try their pasta and order some of their cakes. We ordered two of their pasta - the Kung Pao and Penne.

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I ordered their Salted Caramel Cake. It's a moist chocolate cake with salted caramel in the middle. My friend who is a fan of cheesecakes ordered their Blueberry Cheesecake. We also tried their Peanut Crumble Cake which was very delicious. 

Since Sweet Spot is located near University of the Philippines (U.P.) in Diliman, there are students who hang-out in the place to read. The place was very quiet and comforting that i can be an alternative to some common coffee place where students usually go to read. The restaurant even have a bookshelf where you get books and read it while inside the place.

Sweet Spot is located at Unit 6 Ground Floor, #189 Maginhawa St. corner Makadios., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City. 

Lasik Surgery; Goodbye Eye Glasses

I've been dependent to eye glasses for almost seven years. My eye glasses has been my partner at work and while studying. I cannot leave the house without my eye glasses. It will be difficult for me to travel and do my work without it. 

All of these changed, when I decided to breakthrough and free myself of this dependency. I heard about Lasik surgery about ten years ago when my eyesight was not that bad. I never thought that I will have to undergo that surgery. At that time, Lasik surgery would cost you about One Hundred Thousand Pesos per eye. I cannot afford that expensive treatment. 

Lasik or Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis is refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism. There were only few eye clinics and hospitals who offer Lasik surgery before which makes it very expensive. Nowadays, several hospitals in the Philippines have their own Lasik machines and opthalmologists who specialize with this kind of procedure.

At first I was afraid to undergo Lasik surgery. I was completely convinced by a friend doctor who undergo Lasik surgery two years ago. She told me about the whole procedure and recommends to have it done at The Medical City. Two of the opthalmologists who do the Lasik surgery at the said hospital are her friends.

Before going for the Lasik surgery, an eye screening will be done to check if your eyes are fine to have the procedures. There are instances that they don't allow the patients to undergo the surgery because during the eye screen they saw that there are some ailments of the cornea or retina. Of course, they also want that the surgery will be a success so the eye screening procedures help determine if the surgery will go well.

the waiting area

The eye screening procedure took about three hours. There are different test that needs to be done including the dilation of the eyes. I have asked my sister to accompany me and she stayed on a waiting room at the Lasik Center watching television.

I scheduled my Lasik surgery three weeks after the eye screen. The doctor gave me an eye lubricant that I need to put on my eyes three times a day until the day of the surgery.

I was very excited on the day of the surgery. I thought I will be nervous but it feels like a dream coming true. I was asked to be at the Lasik center an hour before the surgery because there are preparations that need to be made. My sister accompany me at the pre-operation room where the nurse will put the anesthesia drops on my eyes. The nurse was very friendly. She explains what the eyedrops are for, she took my blood pressure and heartbeat. She is even helped me put the dress for the operation and my hairnet.

my charts and eyedrops

After I was dressed up for the operation, the doctor explained how the surgery will work. I will be lying on a bed which will be swiveled on the two machines. My eyes will feel some pressure on the first machine. They had difficulty pressing my left eye that they have to repeat it. I felt some pain but it not something to worry about. The second machine is the laser. I was made to look at a flashing green light which then converged to the  surrounding red light. There was a burning smell after that which I think lasts only for about three seconds.

And that was it! The doctor had only some difficulty because I have small eyes. Now I have 15/20 vision much better than the 20/20 vision.

the receptionist

the lobby

my eye drops

magazines at the waiting area

A Visit to La Creperie

It has been more than a year since the last time I ate at La Creperie and I miss eating at this place. Their most accessible branch for me is the one located in Robinsons Galleria. Me and my sister went EDSA Shrine for a Sunday Mass and decided to eat at La Creperie.

My sister and I decided to order something that is just light because we promised my mother that we'll go home to have lunch. So we decided to have one order of crepe and a salad. Well, the salad was my idea. My sister was thinking that I will also order a crepe but I thought that we can share the crepe and I'll order something else. 

My sister ordered our favorite crepe, the Mango Hazelnut au Chocolat. It's made of chocolate flavored crepe with mango fillings. The sliced almonds, whipped cream and drizzles of caramel an hazelnut spread makes it very delicious. 

For the salad, we ordered the Chicken Ceasar Salad. Aside from the lettuse and chicken it has, eggs, bacons, croutons and cheese. The chicken on the salad has a sweet taste that compliments the taste of the vinegrette. The salad has a huge serving that you can share with others.

Aside from salads and crepes, La Creperie also have pasta. They also offer breakfast menu. You may check my two other posts on the foods at La Creperis - crepes...crepes...crepes... and Another Serving of Crepe

The Sweetness of Gigi's Coffee and Cupcakes

I've been waiting for a month for Gigi's Coffee and Cupcakes to open up in Shang-ri la Mall . I've seen their branch at Eastwood however I rarely went there. So, I was very delighted when I learned that they will have a store in the new wing of the Shang-ri la Mall.

Their store in Shang-ri la Mall is small compared to the one in Eastwood. It is located at the 6th floor and at the left side of the escalator. The store was so small that I almost did not notice it. The color of the store is mostly green and white. The chairs and tables will make you feel like just having coffee and cupcakes at your own home. Maybe because beside Gigi's Coffee and Cupcakes is Shelter Home and Design. So, while waiting for your order you may look around and see what you can buy at Shelter Home and Design.

I'm being a fanatic of salted chocolate and salted caramel food. I want to try Gigi's Sea Salt Chocolate cupcake and so it's exactly what I ordered. I accidentally squeezed my cupcake that the chocolate glazed on top have cracked. The sprinkled salt was very evident on top of the chocolate. The bread was so soft but not that moist. The saltiness blends perfectly on the sweetness of the chocolate. Although the cupcake looks plain the taste is very delectable. This is something that I will always order whenever we come back.

My sister who is a coffee addict ordered the Coffee Cupcake. My sister also got excited with the cupcake that she squeezed it and some of the frosting on top slipped on the side. I like the frosting on top because it taste like coffee.

Gigi's Cupcakes are very affordable unlike the other cupcakes which will cost you around P80 to P100. The cupcakes we bought only cost P50. Aside from the Sea Salt Chocolate and Coffee Cupcakes they also have Red Velvet, Peppermint, Chocolate Chip Overload, Raspberry, Cinnamon and Green Tea. Actually they have a lot of cupcakes flavor that I actually forget some of it. They also have coffees and teas. I will definitely try their drinks on my next visit.

Being Artistic: Photography and Painting

I wasn't able to go out much this month and even if there are long weekends because of the holidays I was stuck at home. Not that I did not much have fun, actually I liked what I did while at home. 

This month I was doing the things that I like. I joined a photography competition on a phone application and there was a Halloween Booth competition in the office. My creative skill was again challenged. Since I started working, I rarely used my creative skills in arts. At work, it's usually your creativity and thinking out of the box to solve problem and make work much more efficient.

It was my sister who told me about a photography contest for wallpaper background. It was hosted by an application that she installed on her phone. Among the thousand entries only 200 will be chosen to be included as finalist.  I submitted three entries however only one was picked to be included on the contest. Users of the application can download your entry and use it as the wallpaper for their mobile phones. Aside from the number of the download, there are also judges that will decide on who will be the winner. The winner will be announced at the end of October.

Since October is a month for Halloween, there was a Halloween Booth contest in the office. The main theme was to decorate your pumpkin. I was tasked to do the backdrop of our booth. The heavy task of painting a huge cloth was given to me which I have to finish in three days.

I have no problem in making drawings however I don't know how to mix and blend color. I can paint but it's usually monochromatic. 

I asked my two siblings to help me paint. Good thing they are very much happy and willing to lend a hand. Over the weekend and the holiday, I spent the whole day completing the painting. 

The concept of our booth was a pumpkin farm however to make it interesting and amazing we made a large pumpkin where kids can go inside and peek into the eyes. We asked helped from our building assistant to do the structure of the large pumpkin. We all helped out to make the pumpkin and decorate our booth so that it will look like a pumpkin farm.

I didn't win first place for both contest. 

For the photography contest, my entry was among the 100 entry chosen for the second prize. 

For the Halloween booth contest, our group won also for second place. A heart-breaking thing is that it's only a one point difference from the first place.