Bidding adieu to 2009

Finally, a beginning. I wanted to end 2009 since a quarter ago. But I'm glad. This year was a realization, a lesson, a decision and a direction. It may not be one of the best years that I would want to remember but it is one crucial year that I know I had to go through.

As I hear the sound of the firecrackers, I am just thankful for the people that God is continuously giving me in my life. I don't know where I'll be without the support of my friends and family. It may not be my choice for people just to come and go but I'm glad that there are those who stay. This year was one hell of a rollercoaster ride indeed.

My wish for 2010? Probably just an avenue for a start, for a beginning for that new ambition and for God to constantly provide me with strength to accomplish the things I want to do. I know it wouldn't be easy, but as they say, nothing you ever want in life ever is, right? That's what makes it all worth it.

My wish for you is for you to know the value of the people around you. That in the end, those who stand by you will be the one who will be with you for a very long time. A good health and safety for the coming year ahead.

Okay, so bring out that bottle and cheers for 2010!

Baguio Country Club's Verandah

This place is said to be the most famous dining place in Baguio Country Club. It is an outdoor type restaurant with the view of the country club's golf course. I had two lunches and one dinner here. It is a nice place to just hang around and spend an afternoon in.

They served us a basket of bread before anything else. Their breads were very soft and warm. Just the way I like them. Following are some reviews... enjoy! :)

Kare-kare (Php 336) - for those who are not so familiar, this is ox tail and tripe simmered in peanut sauce. Theirs came with vegetables as well as shrimp paste on the side. It was served hot so I thought it was really good. I'm a sucker for Kare-kare so it does take me a lot to be impressed. The meat was tender too which was a good thing. I think this came with a cup (or two) of rice.

Tortang Talong (Php 195) - I'm not fond of eating eggplants though I ate a bit just for the sake of tasting this. This dish is an eggplant cooked in fried egg with ground beef. It was pretty good though nothing really special from the others I tasted before. Still if you want some vegetables on your table, this is a good thing to order.

Beef Steak Tagalog (Php 336) - this is beef tenderloin in soy sauce with calamansi juice and sliced onions. I'm not much of a beef eater but this was pretty tender as well. I didn't notice the sourness of the calamansi juice though I thought that the taste of the dish was just right.

Sinigang na Baboy (Php 224) - this is pork cooked in tamarind broth with vegetables. Didn't taste anything different from the other Sinigang I tasted before though this was a good idea to order especially that the weather was cool.

Penne Pasta Aglio Olio (Php 195) - the pasta was good. I liked that it was cooked al dente. The taste of the pasta was nothing extra ordinary though it was still worth to get it if you just want a light meal (also for the olives, kidding). I liked the bread that it came with though.

Bacon Cheeseburger (195) - I wasn't able to taste this one but according to the one who ate it, it was really good. It is a good thing to order for a heavy snack or a light dinner.

Black Angus Rib-eye (Php 940) - this was cooked medium well on a sizzling plate. It was pretty good as the meat was moist and tender. Having it with white rice isn't an option for me though (but then again, this dish wasn't meant to be eaten by me, hihi).

Fillet of Sea bass (Php 950) - this was buttery. I love the taste of this especially with the hint of lemon. The mashed potato was a perfect complement. I finished that thing, needless to say.

Mango Shake - there wasn't anything spectacular to say about this because being an ignorant in the kitchen that I am, I know how to make this shake with its exact same taste. That isn't saying that it was bad, it was just ordinary.

Hot chocolate - this was melted native chocolate tablets. The sweetness of this drink was just right and this being my comfort drink was such a nice thing to order.

If you happen to be bored by just staying inside your room, I suggest you hang out here and pray for someone to do a hole-in-one while having your afternoon coffee! Cheers!

Verandah, Baguio Country Club
6:00 am- 10:00 pm

Merry Christmas! =)

I really am a Christmas person no matter how much I deny it.

Anyway, hope you are all spending time with your loved ones. Enjoy the holidays! :)

Baguio Country Club's Raisin bread

This is what they are famous for. I had many of these prior to going to Baguio. For one, I like raisins as long as they are "uncooked". None of those in my lunch or dinner please. But I eat raisins as snack from time to time. It sometimes takes the place of popcorn when I am watching DVDs at home.

I am not sure if I have tasted any other raisin breads. Baguio Country Club's version however is milky and with the right amount of sweetness. The texture of the bread is really good. It wasn't crumby. What is amazing about it (especially that I am trying to avoid carbs, so I am trying to delay my consumption) is that the bread is still really good even after a few days, just store it in the fridge.

If you are checked-in Baguio Country Club, you can reserve the amount of raisin breads you are to take home the next day (so as to make sure that they have enough to supply your needs). I guess the visitors can buy some from the Pastry Shop. And if you are indeed trying this, try their truffles and danishes as well. Yum!

Baguio's Strawberry Flavoured Taho

Going around Baguio was such a nice feeling mainly because of the cool weather. I love that it wasn't freezing cold but it wasn't blazing hot either.

While I was walking along the outside of Mines View Park (and looking at stuff to buy), I bumped into a person selling taho (soybean custard). I was curious because he said that he was selling strawberry flavoured taho which was something new to me.

I forked out Php 15 (how much does taho cost here in Manila? I think it's around Php 10 right?) to satisfy my curiousity. I realized at first taste that the hint of strawberry came from the arnibal (molasses syrup) served. It was a pleasurable change for the palette of what the taste of taho is expected. I liked it. I liked the twist but it wasn't too much different from what street taho should taste like. In any case, I say this is worth a try ;-)

Chilling out at Café by the Ruins

Calm waves greeted us when we had our recent getaway in La Union. So, what do you do when this happens? You climb up the mountains and enjoy the cool weather of Baguio.

Anyway, I have been hearing about this place in Baguio for so long that for a time, I wanted to visit the place so I can give it a try. Thanks to LushAngel, Arthur and Spundelusion, I was able to do exactly that. After a few months, I came back to the city and had dinner here again. May I just point out, I loved the 15c weather. It's amazing.

So as we were making our way to our table in Cafe by the Ruins, I was surprised as to how I love the ambiance. We were there early which I think is pretty ideal because when we were finished with everything we ate, we saw a lot of people waiting for their turn to be seated inside the establishment. Here's a bit of a review.

Cheese Lumpia Straws (Php 130) - It is fried lumpia with smoked fish and white cheese as filling. The dish comes with vinegar. This was what we had for appetizer. It is a cool blast of flavors, cheesy, sour, salty all at the same time. I loved it. It's Lushangel's favorite!

Kalabasa Puree (Php 100) - squash creamed sauce with lavash crackers soup. This is a great thing to have especially when the temperature is at 15c. Their version is as literal as the title. It tasted like the real vegetable. I didn't mind because I liked it. It may not be for everyone though especially for those who aren't fond of eating vegetables.

Basil Bread (Php 80) - this was one of their bread choices. I was supposed to order kamote (sweet potato) bread which they are famous for but because I thought it was an absurd idea, we didn't. However when I came back and was ready to try it, they ran out of stock. The bread was really good. It was soft enough and tasty (almost creamy) just the way I like it. It was really tempting to bring a loaf home.

The bread comes with a spread. Choices are: herbed liver pate, herb cheese, fish roe pate, jam and butter. We had strawberry jam the first time which was good. Strawberries in Baguio is always a good choice. When I came back, we had the herb cheese spread which was ricotta and yogurt blended with butter, garlic, chives and paprika. We thought it was just bland. The bread was better eaten with the appetizer (cheese lumpia straws). I will try the herbed liver pate the next time I eat here.

Pasta Ruins (Php 200) - this was fettuccine with fish roe and cream sauce. I loved this except for the gummy breadsticks that came with the pasta. The noodle was fine, it was resisting. I rarely like cream-based pasta but this one tasted great. The sauce was not overpowering and not too heavy which I really love.

Pinikpikan (P210) - this was a recommendation by their wait staff. It is chicken boiled in a Cordillera way. It tasted a bit burned for me. It was like boiled chicken but slightly more salty. It wasn't such a good food for me.

Mrs. Afable's Mango CPA (Php 200) - according to their menu description, this isn't your usual adobo. This one has a nice touch of sourness and classic taste of adobo combined. I liked the change in taste. The sourness of green mango in the adobo was really something worth trying for. I just prefer for the two meats to be separated, nevertheless, it was heaven.

Chocolate de Agua (Php 120) - this came with a whole wheat cinnamon toast. The hot chocolate was the best, with sugar around the rim of the mug, enough bitterness and sweetness of the drink, and enough amount of water to dilute the tablea. It was really fitting for the venue because it was really cool that night. A nice break from a city life.

The service was good. I wish to come back here next time. I probably should try having breakfast here. They have a sumptuous lineup.

Café by the Ruins
#25 Chuntug Street, Baguio City
(63)(76) 442-4010/446-4010

Baguio in a Whim

After fifteen years, I was finally able to see Baguio again. Emphasis on the number of years, I can hardly remember anything from fifteen years ago. Baguio is what happens when my friends and I are greeted by the calm waves of La Union. I did not know then that the place can be so placid.

We mainly went on a road trip up the mountains because we wanted to do something that day besides pushing one another so that we can stand on a surfboard. I went back few months after that placid incident as well.

I managed to revisit the places I haven't seen for so long. I was able to go see the Mines View Park and The Mansion. Ultimate tourist mode indeed. It was my first time to go to SM Baguio though, and may I just say, watching movies there is inexpensive (Php 110). The mall does not have air-conditioning, but at a 15c temperature, who needs one (the movie house had though, don't worry)? I can't imagine the place on a summer day though. I wouldn't want to be there. I'm surprised that there were a lot of people during a weekday. The mall was really crowded including the grocery. There were restaurants with an overlooking of the city, combine that with the cool weather and hot chocolate, it would be a perfect place to spend an afternoon in.

Staying in Baguio Country Club is also something. Truth be told, I can't even remember where I used to stay fifteen years ago though I heard from friends that they often go to Manor in Camp John Hay for an ultimate vacation feel. Baguio Country Club has everything you need for a vacation up the mountains. They even have three pools in different temperatures just in case you crave for a dip. They also have bowling, billiards and chess if you are the active type. But the restaurants and bake shop plus the room service they provide are something to look forward to (especially if you love eating).

Drawback is that you will need to be a member, or a guest of a member to stay here. But for more information on the membership, room types and room rates, check out the website here. By the way, if you were to choose a room, I suggest getting the Junior Suite type. I have yet to try the cottages though with the description provided in the website, it is a perfect place to spend Christmas (the cottage has a fireplace! haha).

I hope to go back, because I want to try that ribs place in Camp John Hay, and I also haven't seen the place since I was last here (I'll repeat, fifteen years ago! :P). It isn't such a far place to go to, so I think going back is perfectly doable.

We went to Baguio for a food trip as well, but that is an entirely different post (or posts? =P).

Sweeney Todd

I have heard about this musical because I am such a fan of Megan Mullally (Karen Walker in Will & Grace). She performs in musicals and has a fascinating voice. When I was looking for videos of her singing in YouTube, I bumped into a video of her singing Johanna and found the song really captivating.

When I found out that the musical is going to be staged in Manila, I was really excited to catch it (just as I am excited to be watching all musicals staged here in the Philippines). I wanted to go but the limited theatre-geek friends that I have, I am having trouble tugging people to watch. I was a bit hesitant as I thought this might scare me when I watch. Two days before the showing, I decided to watch it, all by myself.

I did not catch the movie so I have no point of comparison which was a good thing, I guess. Unbiased opinions are what you always want to hear, right?

The setting, if I'm not mistaken is in late 19th century in London's Fleet Street. The musical was about a disturbed man, after his wife and daughter have been deviously taken away by a judge in the district, having him locked up for false accusations. When the man was released, he changed his name to Sweeney Todd and worked as a barber to secretly seek revenge to the judge, knowing that his wife is dead. When the judge managed to escape when Todd had a close interaction with him, he decided to practice his method of killing to whomever went to his shop for service. Mrs. Lovett, Todd's partner in crime is selling meat pies. The unaware customers couldn't understand as to why the meat pies taste great though in reality, a special ingredient from Todd's victims goes into the pies.

I think the musical was great. They were composed of really good actors/singers. I loved the acting and singing of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo who played Mrs. Lovett. Her voice was really captivating. The one who played Johanna (Todd's daughter) was an amazing singer as well. I loved it everytime she sprung the number "Kiss Me" when it was inappropriate for the singing (in Act II, if I remember it right). The song "Johanna" remains to be my favorite of the line-up but "Kiss Me" and "Not While I'm Around" which I think I heard somewhere before are a close second. Did I mention that Gerard Salonga was the musical director for this? Yep, he's brilliant.

The production design was alright, nothing grand but they were able to bring to life Sweeney Todd's "process" of killing which was good. There were a lot of students watching as well which it was either a requirement or that theatre is really picking up. In any case, I am excited for the coming year as I will be able to watch Rent and CATS will be showing (though I have no idea on how I can watch it yet). See you in the next musical! :)

Malacca

I am not in any way an expert when it comes to Malaysian cuisine because even if I'm in South East Asia, I rarely find any Malaysian restaurant here in the country. It's always Chinese, Japanese or Italian.

Good thing, two of my very good college friends decided to celebrate their birthdays in this place. However, one of the celebrants wasn't able to make it. So she owes us another! Haha. Kidding. Anyway, I had fun. We were sharing a lot of stories about our work (or theirs, whatever =P).

Here's a review:

Roti (Php 220) - this is what was ordered for appetizer. It is soft pita to be dipped in a curry tasting peanut sauce. I loved it. It should be eaten while it is hot so as to consume it at its tastiest. And no, it is not spicy as most Malaysian dishes are.

Chicken Satay (Php 250) - it is skewered chicken with the curry-tasting peanut sauce. I can't remember how many sticks were there but there were seven of us, and we did manage to finish the dish. The meat was tender. It is one of the dishes to order in this restaurant and no, this is not spicy as well.

Penang Cha Kway Tiaw (Php 250-hard, Php 300-fresh) - truth be told, I have no idea about the difference of hard from fresh. I was not able to ask because the food was there when I came. One of my friends has a theory though, the noodles are freshly made if it is fresh, or processed if hard. Does anyone out there know? Going to the taste, my friends said it was spicy. It was pretty decent for me. It was not the spicy that would burn your tongue and hurt your throat. It was okay for me, probably because of the practice I had in Korean Village eating Kimchi. Other than that, this dish can be skipped, unless you are a sucker for noodles.

Salt(ed) Fish Fried Rice (Php 250) - I didn't taste the salted fish in the rice much but this fried rice is good nonetheless. If you are eating curry though, or other dishes that has a very strong taste, I suggest you get the plain one instead.

Chicken Curry (Php 380) - this dish was good. It was pretty spicy but is quite manageable for me. I loved how tender the meat was as well. I would've preferred the chicken without the bone though so as to easily eat them. Also, I find the serving quite small for the price.

Teh Tarik (Php 80) - it is their version of milk tea. It is served hot or cold. I was leaning towards cold drink that night so I ordered the iced one. It had the right amount of bitterness in it from the tea (or was it teas?) and sweetness from the milk (and sugar? I'm not really sure). It is not something I would crave for, though. In any case, it is still the best drink to order for me as I am a sucker for milk teas. You can order this hot, perfect to drink after dinner.

Ice Kacang (Php 120) - Malaysian's version of halo-halo and a perfect choice for your dessert. I loved the milk in it. A blast of cold temperature with occasionally really sweet taste. It was awesome. It contained red beans, mango, gulaman and a lot more, all on shaved ice. The serving of this particular dessert is good to share for 2-3 people.

I liked the ambiance. There were only two occupied tables that Saturday night, I wonder if the restaurant is making money. I liked it though because it was as if the entire restaurant was reserved only for us. We had our little private dinner. Service was also good. The staff would describe to us briefly the food that we would inquire about. I also liked that their menu was easy to read. It had pictures and the name of the food. Most (if not all) dishes had illustrations for people unfamiliar with Malaysian cuisine (such as myself) to have an idea on what the food that was ordered will look like.

Malacca
G/F Jupiter Place, 136 Jupiter Street
Makati City
899-3587