Brazil Brazil! Churrascaria in Metrowalk

Had a dinner-meeting with the rest of the members of the virtual team last week at Brazil Brazil Churrascaria in Metrowalk. My first time there actually, but I had fun, and so did the rest of the team.

Royal Tru Orange–stirs memories of old

My kids thought that it was high time for me to learn to cook. I know how to cook, I told them, but I just did not have the desire to cook. They agreed–they always crave for what they call “the best lasagna” that I prepared for them every now and then. They also like my chocolate crinkles, tuna pesto and carbonara. Each time I came up with my concoction, they would nod in unison–what I prepared was way above their standard of good food.

But that happens only once or twice a year, simply because my mom is the queen of the kitchen. She was away during the weekend to visit her sisters in her town–and that was an opportunity to try something new. I planned to cook sotanghon, it was almost lunch time, but I was still procrastinating. The maid offered to cook–it was her chance, and I was relieved. The noodles looked good, rich in vegetables and chicken, but…tasteless.

Tamales

Every now and then, I would crave for a local delicacy called “tamales”. I am lucky because I can always find one in a place near my home–at Little Quiapo, along Malakas St., Pinyahan, QC. The “tamales” is not actually sold at Little Quiapo. It is sold by a vendor from Pampanga who has been given a space near the restaurant’s entrance to sell his local delicacies. The vendor sells tamales in 2 varieties, the regular one for P40, the special at P55.

Tamales is already rare, I once found a store in Tiendesitas which sells it. A few times also, I was able to buy one from a church vendor, but this is the very ordinary type.

Breakfast at Casino Español de Manila with Mayor of Sabrosa, Portugal

On the invite of Philippine Online Chronicles and WikiPilipinas, our partner at The Filipina Images, BA and I went to Casino Español de Manila (the corner of Taft Avenue and T.M. Kalaw)  last Tuesday to have breakfast with Jose Manuel Carvalho Marques, who is attending the 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities.

Breakfast comprised Ensaymada, Roast Beef, Baked Ham with Pineapple, Tortilla de Patatas Española, Fruit Cocktail and Coffee, Chocolate or Tea. The thick hot chocolate made the Spanish way was simply wonderful.

The effects of Coke on the body (the effects of Coke on me)

A lot has been said on the negative effects of Coke (I mean Coca Cola, not the other coke) to the human body, like dissolving teeth and bones. It may also be the cause of obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, osteoporosis, nutritional deficiencies, heart disease, and many neurological disorders.

And how it can be used to remove rust, clean toilets, remove grease from clothes, how it does not have any nutritional value, just high sugar, high acidity, a lot of preservatives and color, and many more damaging things.

But I was addicted to Coke.

Happy at 2 am–Sorbetes @ Mini Stop + The Secret Garden

Monica was craving for something sweet at 2am. These days we have been careful about the food we eat because of the melamine scare, no more Cadbury, or M&Ms, not yet. We walked to Mini Stop, about 5 houses away from ours–it is relatively safe, with the roaming barangay volunteers just around the corner. She bought her strawberry candies, Pauline’s Chocnut, and my Coke, then asked the cashier if they had soft ice cream. She knew it was a waste of time to ask because normally at 2am, most often than not, Mini Stop would have finished off its soft ice cream for the day, and its siopao, and its fried wanton, and its…the list goes on. She would always say, “m’aam, ubos na po kasi late na, tomorrow na lang po”. And I would tell her, “I hope Mini Stop improves its inventory strategy–try to have what the customers need Just In Time”. This time, to our surprise, the cashier proudly said, “yes m’aam, meron pa po!”.

At the Tree House in UP Campus–an afternoon delight with Annamanila

Finally, finally, the lunch with Annamanila materialized. I went to her office at ISSI–it was as if we have never read each other’s blogs, we haven’t chatted for a while, and we have not been in touch for a long long time. There were so many things to talk about, so many tidbits, and we flitted from one topic to another. Before long, we were on our way to The Tree House, an al fresco restaurant next to the ISSI building within the UP Campus.

We realized later that on food, we had a lot of “likes” in common–I let her order, as I am not a person who is fond of the real food (“ulam” in Tagalog). I am more of a burger, pizza, pasta, dessert person. I also have a big liking for Japanese food which we could not find anywhere in the Campus. We did not want to go elsewhere, just nearby. The Tree House was very close, we only needed about a hundred steps from ISSI.

“Share Your Family Memories” Contest

Update as of 13 September 2008

With very little interest on the contest (either people are too busy or not interested at all), and with the deadline coming up very soon, I am sorry to cancel the contest. I apologize for the inconvenience, dear Readers.

But of course, I am upholding and supporting the sponsors’ advocacy—family togetherness.

Celebrating Three Birthdays in CRIBS

What could be a more meaningful way to celebrate 3 birthdays than celebrating it with the staff and wards of CRIBS? Anna Lissa Payawal, her younger sister Anna Magarita and 9-year old Acusha celebrated their birthdays today in CRIBS.

CRIBS is an acronym for Create Responsive Infants By Sharing–a receiving home for abandoned and surrendered babies and molested girls aged 7 to 17.

The parents of the two Annas arranged for catering by Resty Besin of Best-In Party Needs and Catering Services. Full story is in The CRIBS Blog.

In appreciation of CRIBS’ friends, Dine-a-Bite is featuring Besin’s creation for the wards and staff of CRIBS and the family and friends of the Payawals.

Cooking the Bhutanese Way–simple but delicious

Bhutanese food is simple but delicious. The Bhutanese prepare yummy and appetizing food using simple methods, like cooking meats and vegetables in oil and water. Some may think that the food is bland, but the truth is, the food is delicious. Bhutanese do not need to go through complex and long methods of cooking to make their food delicious–they just add chillies and salt.

Short grain red rice is part of every Bhutanese banquet. It is sometimes flavored with saffron.

Bhutanese like eating cheese, like cow’s milk cheese and Yak  cheese, a favorite.

Mushrooms grow in abundance, with about 400 varieties, including the very expensive Shitake mushrooms.

Bhutanese tea, known as souza is the most popular beverage among the locals.

The Bhutanese like Tibetan specialties very much, like momo and noodles.