iPod Touch

- voice-chat features (similar to the newest iPhone!)

- front-facing camera (for video chats with other iPhone and iPod Touch users)

- retina display

- HD video recording

iPod Nano

- multi-touch (It’s now touch screen!)

- smaller and lighter

iPod Shuffle

- voice over (It can speak the names of songs)

- buttons are back

- clip-and-go (It’s wearable! Just clip it on your shirt or wherever, then you’re ready to go!)

- colorful (available in 5 different colors)

So what do you think of the new 2010 iPods?

I still prefer the design of the 5th generation iPod Nano. As for the new iPod Touch, I won’t be replacing my 3rd generation iPod Touch for the new one since I won’t really be using the new features. I’m glad though that Apple brings back the buttons and the square shape of the iPod Shuffle.

How about you?

*Photos are taken from the Apple website.

Vegas Cafe

I was able to try Vegas Cafe once for lunch. There were only a few people when we got there as it was a Sunday around 11am. I can imagine this place packed with hungry casino players at night since Fiesta Casino is right beside this restaurant. Vegas Cafe is open 24 hours and offers international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

*You can click on all the photos below to make them bigger*

While waiting for our order, we were given complimentary bread rolls. It was really tasty and best of all, it was served hot and soft- just the way I like it.

Looking at the menu of Vegas Cafe, most of their dishes are for sharing. And my order…

Sinigang na Baboy (PHP 350)- Since I was really craving for soup that day, I ordered Sinigang na baboy. It’s pork belly and mixed local vegetables boiled in tamarind broth soup. Errr… I know it’s a dish that can be ordered just about anywhere, but that’s what I’ve been craving for that day! LOL! I still didn’t regret having this instead of ordering their steak, which is their specialty. It’s one of my fave Filipino dishes! The pork sliced into small pieces were really tender. The veggies that came with the Sinigang were fresh, I can say, since they were crisp. The soup was sour, just the way it should be. But since I like my Sinigang soup really really sour, it would have been better if more tamarind flavour was added. It was served in a clay pot to keep the soup warm and yummy! This dish serves 2 to 3 persons.

Pool Bar

After having our afternoon siesta on their “Thunderbed”, we went to the pool for a dip. Well, it served as my exercise in preparation for an adventurous surfing the next day. Hehehe! But before doing so, I had to satisfy my growling stomach. I had a hard time choosing from their menu since I wanted to order and try a lot!

I ended up ordering the Santorini Club…

Santorini Club (PHP 260)- It’s a toasted whole wheat bread with layers of chicken breast, avocado, lettuce and egg, topped with crispy bacon. Well, I love anything with bacon! I don’t consider it as a breakfast food. (Probably because I rarely eat breakfast! LOL!) The Santorini Club served to me was packed with meat and veggies, making it hard for me to bite the sandwich. Not that I’m complaining! In fact, it’s a two thumbs up for me! Well, that’s why utensils were made. LOL! I also found the Club juicy despite the layers of chicken breast, which is usually dry. The Santorini Club was also served with corn chips, which was not the usual paper-thin chips (which I prefer). This dish serves 2.

And to keep me alive for the rest of the day, I ordered a bottomless freshly brewed coffee for only PHP 100. Hehehe! I think I had 4 refills of coffee! Bad, I know!!!

And of course, what’s a vacation without sipping an ice cold shake while sunbathing?!

Watermelon Shake (PHP 150 – 160)- Sorry, I couldn’t remember the exact price but it’s around that range. Watermelon Shake is one of my fave drinks, especially when I’m out in the sun. It’s a very refreshing drink, which is just so perfect to beat the heat. There’s really not much that can be done to give a Watermelon Shake a twist. I’m just glad that they served me a sweet one to satisfy my sweet tooth, at the same time, giving me a refreshing feeling.

Olives Restaurant

Olives Restaurant is located in the same building of Thunderbird’s main hotel, near the lobby. Olives offers Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner, and a buffet for breakfast. I would say, one of their specialties is their pizzas. It’s freshly cooked from their wood-fired stone oven (as seen in the photos below), making their thin crust pizzas crispy.

Since I wanted to try different kinds of pizzas, I decided to split the flavours of one whole pizza- meaning 4 slices with the same flavour and the other 4 slices in another flavour (as seen in the photo below). As to how much they charged us with this kind of request? The price was just like ordering two half pizzas of our choice! Oh, they even accommodate special requests, like if you want to take out some ingredients and add something in replacement. That’s what you call excellent service! They really want to make sure all their customers are satisfied.

Anyway, I ended up ordering the following:

Pizza Ilokano (PHP 400)- It consisted of Tomato Concasse, Mozzarella, Cheddar Cheese, Vigan Longganisa, Tocino, Tuna and Onion. To be honest, I ordered this pizza just because of the Vigan Longganisa. I’m not fond of eating longganisa, except for Vigan Longganisa. The problem? Tuna has such a strong flavour that I barely tasted the Vigan Longganisa. There was a hint of sweetness because of the Tocino, but the taste of the tuna was still very dominant.

Pizza Frutti Di Mare (PHP 460)- This had Tomato Concasse, Mozzarella, Squid, Shrimps, Fish and Scallops. I looove seafoods! I love squid. I love shrimp. I love scallops. So obviously, I loved Frutti Di Mare Pizza. The seafoods used were all fresh. The serving of the toppings was generous, which made it so perfect!

Pizza “Quattro Stagioni” (PHP 470)- This had Kalamata Olives, Artichoke Hearts, Parma Ham, Fresh Mushrooms and Mozzarella. Pizza Quattro Stagioni is one of their best sellers. It had a lot of toppings as well and it was really good!

Four Cheese Pizza (PHP 720)- consisted of four kinds of cheese- Goat, Parmesan, Feta and Mozzarella. This one is the bomb! Well, looking at the price, it really has to be good. I actually find the price quite steep for a pizza. When I had a taste of it though, it did not disappoint.

Sorry for the photo below. We ate two slices of Four Cheese Pizza already before I was able to take a picture of it. LOL! This is also half and half pizza. Pizza Quattro Stagioni and Four Cheese, which is the one on top with two slices left.

While waiting for our orders, we were also given soft and hot bread slices and rolls. It came with butter, my fave oil and balsamic vinegar dip, and some olives.

And of course, we had to order wine to perfectly match our pizzas. Well, who wouldn’t want to order wine if you are seated right in front of this…

Lovely, eh?! Hmmm… Now I’m thinking of having a wine cellar in my future home. LOL! That would definitely help me doze off to sleep early! Haha! Anyway this is what we had…

Cabernet Shiraz 2007, Laughing Lizard (PHP 170 per glass/ PHP 800 per bottle)- a vibrant deep purple colour, overflowing with ripe berry fruit flavours with just a hint of soft spice. I’m not really a wine drinker. I just join wine tasting tours because it’s part of the itinerary whenever we go out of the country. Well, I do enjoy them. In fact, one of my most memorable wine tasting tour was in Ontario, Canada. It was the first time I had a sip of that expensive Ice Wine. We ended up bringing home several bottles of it for my family and I to drink before going to bed. Hehehe! After tasting that delicious Ice Wine, my love for dessert wines started and my search for Ice Wine here in Manila has not ended! Yes, I haven’t seen any Ice Wine here yet. Anyway, sorry for my long introduction on my love story with wines. LOL! Actually, it was only recently when I learned to appreciate red wine. I’ve been drinking red and white wine, but I never really craved for them. Now, I just love them. It goes well with steak or pizza. And of course, a glass can help me have a sound sleep. LOL!

We also availed for Breakfast Buffet, which was included in Thunderbird’s room package (more on the room rates and packages in this post), here at Olives Restaurant. Well, I don’t usually eat breakfast because either I’m always in a hurry or I wake up late. It’s only when I’m on vacation that I get to wake up early and eat breakfast. And my favorite breakfast food? Crispy bacon!!! And guess what?! They had it in the buffet! That just made my day! It’s been a long time since I ate breakfast! LOL! Anyway, other than the bacon, the breakfast buffet of Thunderbird Resorts has a variety of choices, enough to cater to the different preferences of the guests. Here’s what they had in the buffet table:

salad bar and various tropical fruits

a variety of  cheese, cereals and bread

omelette station

from L – R: Beef Tapa, Daing na Bangus (Fried Fish), Sauteed Chicken Strips, and Bacon

The drinks included in their buffet were fruit juices, soy milk, cold chocolate drink and brewed coffee.

I ended up finishing all these…

Burp!

Santorini Bar & Lounge

Santorini Bar & Lounge is where you can satisfy your thirst for alcohol! It’s near the lobby and Olives restaurant. It has a very relaxing ambiance, with the view of the South China Sea, making it a perfect place to sip a little bit of alcohol anytime of the day! Hehehe! Oh, and they have a variety of alcohol mixes and happy hour as well! Well, I was a good girl during my stay in Thunderbird Resorts for two straight weekends. No alcohol for me! Well, we did lounge here at Santorini bar since the pool area was packed with people. But we ordered shakes and coffee, as usual. (Coffee has been my bestfriend for several weeks now! Geeesh! Need to stop it!)

Anyway, here are some photos of Santorini Bar & Lounge:

Imagine yourself sipping your fave cocktail, wine or fruit juice, while listening to their relaxing music and enjoying this kind of view… Whew! That’s what you call- Living Lush-ciously!

the mini stage for live performances every Friday and Saturday night…

I was able to try their Mango Shake, about PHP 120 – 150 I think (Sorry, I couldn’t remember the exact price again!). Similar to the Watermelon Shake I ordered while I was in the pool, there’s nothing much that can be done to make this shake special. I’m just satisfied that it was sweet, even if Mangoes are already out of season during this time of the year.

We also ordered Milk Shakes (about PHP 200 – 220). I tried the Chocolate Milk Shake, which wasn’t really as thick and pure as it should be. I liked it still as it wasn’t too sweet. You won’t easily get tired of drinking it.

OMG! Sorry, this post has become too long!!! Ummm… Can I just say, I don’t usually eat this much! When I’m on vacation, it just feels so good to go on a food trip. And with this kind of place, you just want to relax and enjoy Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point with a happy tummy! LOL!

* Note that prices indicated here are subject to change without prior notice *

Ladies and gents, mark your calendars now! On September 13, Gossip Girl Season 4 will be starting. I’m sooo excited! Why?! Well, aside from drooling on the fashionable clothes and accessories of the girls, the setting will surely leave me breathless. LOL! It is in Paris! Oh my gawd! It’s calling me!!!! Paris, my love, I’ll be seeing you again soon… *wish* *wish* *wish*

Anyway, below is a sneak peek of Gossip Girl Season 4. Oooh… A lot will be happening!!!

OMG!!! Paris! Paris! Paris!

I’m not the type who can lock myself inside a hotel room the entire day. In fact, I just use the room at night to sleep max of 8 hours (usually less) and to take a shower. For the rest of the day, I’m wandering/ exploring the place, wherever I may be. But damn, can I just say, Thunderbird’s bed tempted me to stay inside the room all day! The bed and sheets are literally as soft as cotton! I’m not joking! It would make you want to curl up in bed all day! Hence, I named it “Thunderbed”! LOL! It really is one of a kind!!!

The deluxe rooms have one king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds. When reserving for a room, you can inform them of your preference.

Oh and can you see that “creature” on top of the “Thunderbed”?! Is it an elephant or a bird? Eeeek… I’m not so sure. LOL! I just find it amazing since it’s made of towels! Instead of just hanging the towels inside the restroom, they made it into some creature to welcome the guests. As much as I don’t want to mess it up, I had to since I have to use the towels. LOL! Anyway, take a closer look and please tell me what it is… Hehehe!

I looove their very spacious bathroom!!! Check out the photos below…

the huge mirror with yellow lights around it (perfect for makeup! lol!)…

just fooling around…

the shower room…

rain shower…

some complimentary goodies…

And for the Deluxe VO rooms, there is a kitchenette and a jacuzzi, which you can enjoy.

Thunderbird  Resorts Poro Point rooms also have electronic safety deposit box, mini-bar, refrigerator, coffee maker, internet connection, LCD TV, stereo with CD, DVD player, iPod dock, and surround speakers.

And my favorite part of the room- the BALCONY! It’s where you can smoke, or just sit and relax while sipping hot coffee and enjoying the view of this paradise.

Wondering what’s the view from my room?

Whew! Need I say more? Just lounging outside the bacony, hearing the sound of the waves and seeing this kind of view spells H-E-A-V-E-N!

Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point Room Rates:
Deluxe/ Deluxe VO- Php 7,000 for weekdays and Php 7,500 for weekends
Deluxe Suite- Php 16,000 for weekdays and weekends

They have a rainy day promo going on right now until September 30, 2010. Php 4,800 nett on weekdays and Php 5,300 nett on weekends.

The weeday rate applies from Sunday to Thursday, while weekend rate applies during Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays. The rates above are inclusive of 10% service charge and applicable local taxes. Also, the prices above are good for two persons. Extra head (maximum of 4 adults in a room with no provision for an extra bed) will be charged Php 1,000 nett/person/night.

* Note that prices are subject to change without prior notice *

Aside from the accommodation, room rates also include breakfast buffet for two (more on my dining experience at Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point in my next post), use of the swimming pool, Wi-Fi access, 2 complimentary bottled water replenished daily, complimentary daily local newspaper, and welcome drinks. As for us, we were given a fruit platter and chocolates, instead of the welcome drinks.

With this kind of room, we obviously enjoyed our stay at Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point. There are also a few points that they could improve on though. One, it took some time for the housekeeping to give our requests. We actually had to call again to follow it up. Oh, and it seems like the room given to us isn’t soundproof as we could hear our noisy neighbors. I’m not sure though if it’s just our room as we were given a connecting room. Probably, the spaces of the connecting door causes the sound waves to slip through our room. Hehehe! And lastly, I wasn’t really able to enjoy the rain shower because the water pressure wasn’t enough. That doesn’t mean though that I wasn’t able to take a bath! LOL! Thank God, they also have that handheld shower head, which worked perfectly fine. Well despite these, we still enjoyed our stay and had a fun and relaxing time in our room. Duh, isn’t that obvious since a week after, we went back to eat and relax in the paradise of Thunderbird Resorts La Union?! Oh, and I got the chance to experience their “Thunderbed” once again! Whew, I felt like floating and lying down on huge chunks of clouds

Thunderbird Resorts Philippines Poro Point
Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando City, La Union
For reservations call:
(63-72) 8887777 in La Union or
(63-2) 8865555 in Makati Office

About a year ago, I’ve heard and read about a resort in the Philippines that would make you feel like you’re in Santorini, Greece. The architecture, the view- Oooh, it really is like Santorini in the pictures. The problem? It’s just too far from Manila. Plus, it would hurt your pocket, big time! It’s more for honeymooners, I guess, or a popular venue where guys pop the big question. Awww… Now, isn’t that sweet?! *ehem* LOL! So obviously, it’s not for me. Hahaha! I thought maybe the real Santorini, Greece is the one for me. LOL! Well, I don’t deny, it’s my dream to get married in Santorini or Italy or France, but that’s a long shot. Honeymoon maybe? *ehem, again* LOL!

Anyway, a few months ago, I heard that there is another Santorini-like resort here in the Philippines, called Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point. The first time I heard it, the name sounded familiar since it’s actually a chain of luxury hotels in other countries. Their first branch here in the Philippines is in Rizal. When I researched about Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, my first reaction was “Wow!!!”. I was so happy as I don’t need to fly! It is just about 5 hours drive from Metro Manila! What’s even better is it’s just 15 minutes away from Surf Camp. Yes, it’s in La Union (San Fernando, La Union to be exact)!!!!  The first thing that entered my mind was it’s a perfect place to relax right after surfing in San Juan, La Union. The problem with it is you have to book weeks or months before in Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point since obviously, with such a beautiful place, it’s always fully booked. A real dilemma for me as nice and clean waves aren’t always there. You can be unfortunate like me one time when I went all the way to La Union and the water was just placid. We ended up going to Baguio. Well, at least, it turned out to be a fun trip still. But there, I’m just trying to say that wave forecast changes from time to time, hour by the hour so I thought, how can I ever book in Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point?! I don’t wanna waste my trip to La Union by staying in the resort and not being able to ride some waves. Because of this, I never thought about staying at Thunderbird La Union anymore. Again I thought, it ain’t for me ‘coz probably the real Greece is the one for me. LOL!

A day after my birthday, I thought surfing over the weekend would just be perfect to celebrate my birthday. Well, as always, surfing trips should be flexible, depending on the wave forecast. Friday night, I had to cancel the trip as the forecast for Saturday wasn’t as nice as Sunday until Tuesday. I then remembered, why not stay at Thunderbird La Union over the weekend before surfing?! I tried my luck and called. Ooooh, probably it’s what you call birthday luck! There was a room available still, but only for Sunday. Well, I knew I had to grab the chance of being able to stay at Thunderbird Resorts and surf as well, even if it means relaxation would have to come first. Hehehe!

And so for two straight Sundays now, there I was at Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point. I wasn’t really in Greece. Look’s like I am in my photos in this post, eh? Here are more pictures of Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point. Experience Santorini in the Philippines, without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point entrance

the lobby…

I like the chairs…

the ceiling… so Greecian, eh?!

view from the top…

shot from the side…

North wing rooms…

swimming pool…

night shots…

Looking at these pictures alone relaxes me! Whew! Breath-taking indeed! More about the rooms, rates, facilities and dining experience at Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point, La Union in my next posts so stay tuned!

Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point
Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando City, La Union
For reservations call:
(63-72) 8887777 in La Union or
(63-2) 8865555 in Makati Office

Since I have big floral prints on my skirt, I decided to pair it with my ever reliable plain white tank top. Of course, so as not to look too plain, I’ve got to use accessories. More photos below…

I changed to flats when I went shopping… LOL! Oh, I still had my BB in this picture. Damn, I miss it! Waaah!

Then back to my booties for dinner…

decided to use my Balenciaga Giant City in Pomegranate to be matchy-matchy with my red florals and red necklace…

On Lush Angel: random white tank top; Bangkok floral skirt; Bangkok shooties; Bangkok black sandals; Philip Stein watch; necklace from mom; H&M bangles; Pomegranate Balenciaga Giant City in gold hardware; Philippe Charriol earrings; Gucci sunglasses

It really is very imformative. I remember featuring it here in my blog when the book came out. Since then, I’ve been seeing it in bookstores and I’ve been reading it there whenever I needed to kill time. Hehehe! And now that I’m loving makeups too much and I’ve been buying and experimenting on them, I thought I needed to get Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual for myself.

I love how she explained in detail the use of each makeup and brush type. She also gave tips on how to apply each makeup product for every skin type. It is that detailed that she’s like a personal instructor explaining to you the proper way to use concealer, foundation, blush, etc. Some books or videos teaches us the basics, but we have to keep in mind that different skin types and skin colors also vary in techniques when applying each product. Bobbi Brown touched this in her book. She would help you identify your skin type and color. Then, for every makeup product, like concealer, foundation, etc, she would suggest the kind of product (liquid, cream, powder, etc.) to be used for every skin type (oily, dry, combination) in order for the makeup to last. She also recommended shades that would blend and work well for every skin color. The book is picture heavy as well to make it easier for the readers to understand her step-by-step instructions. It literally is a makeup manual, something that makeup enthusiasts have always wanted. Hehehe! So for those starting to appreciate and love the art of makeup, grab a copy now in the nearest bookstore. It’s just quite hard to get one as it’s always out of stock here in Manila (I’m just not sure in the other parts of the world)! Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is now being sold at Amazon for $21.12, but I tell you, every penny is woth it for those who want to learn the basics. In fact, as the book says, Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual is for everyone from beginner to pro.

Oh gosh, don’t you just miss Saisaki’s Tempura?! It has been ages since I last ate there. And so now, I’m craving! Errrr… Well, I guess my craving has to wait since Saisaki’s Eat All You Can Tempura promo will be tomorrow, August 26, 2010. Oh and guess how much is it?! It’s only Php 330, Soup, Rice and Iced tea included.

So mark your calendars now! During your lunch break or after office, head to any Saisaki branch and avail for this Eat All You Can Tempura for only Php 330.

Here are some Saisaki branches I’m familiar with:

- Level 2, Glorietta 3, Ayala Center

- Level 4, Mega A, SM Megamall

- 207 EDSA Greenhills

- 15 West Avenue, Quezon City

- Alabang Town Center, 2nd Level Alabang Commercial Corporation

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel has been open for several weeks now, but I never had the chance to check it out until my birthday dinner. I ended up eating at Eastwood Cafe in Richmonde Hotel since I couldn’t make up my mind where to celebrate my birthday. As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, I wasn’t really able to prepare for my birthday. I didn’t even bother to think of a place to celebrate it. Around 6:00pm, my mom kept on calling me still, asking where I wanted to eat. I couldn’t make up my mind so eventually my mom decided to eat somewhere near. Hahaha! It was a weekday as well so my brother and my sister had to go home early since they had work the next day. So there we were, trying out Eastwood Cafe at Richmonde Hotel…

The moment I got inside Richmonde Hotel through the second level of Eastwood mall, I was surprised to see that Basement Salon will be opening there soon. Even The Spa has a branch inside Richmonde Hotel! Ooooh, now that’s cool! LOL! We then headed to Eastwood Cafe, which is located at the ground floor of Richmonde Hotel.

Like in any hotel cafes/ restaurants, Eastwood Cafe has this relaxing ambiance. It is well-lit and quiet, making it a great place for meetings or conversations.

There was no buffet at that time as they only serve dinner buffet every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No worries as there are a lot of interesting dishes in their a la carte menu. Most of their dishes have huge servings, which can be for sharing. We ended up ordering the following…

Richmonde’s Seafood and Bacon Stew (PHP 280) – This appetizer is a mix of clams, mussels, squid, bacon bits and chorizo compote. It is stewed in white wine and cream, served with house bread. The creamy sauce tasted a bit weird for me, probably because of the mix of the seafoods’ and the chorizo’s flavour into the cream sauce. It had a hint of sourness for me. This appetizer is for sharing, about 2 to 3 persons.

Richmonde’s Caesar Salad (PHP 280) – This is the Classic Caesar Salad that we all know, though there was nothing really special with its taste. I still loved it though. Well, the presentation was good. Caesar Salad is one of the few salads I eat. Hahaha! The serving is good for one.

Crab, Arugula in Smoked Cream (PHP 350) – This delicioso pasta had crab meat, arugula, and bacon, with smoked cream sauce on tagliatelle, topped with tobiko. I love this dish! It was creamy and it really had a lot of crab meat in it. Take note, real crab meat! This dish is good for one, but it can be good enough to share if you are ordering other main dishes as well.

Oriental Beef Stew (PHP 390) – This is Richmonde’s take on the classic Korean Beef Stew. Oriental beef stew is served with sauteed red cabbage and bean sprouts. It is not the ordinary Korean Beef Stew we can order in any Korean restaurants out there. Richmonde’s version did not have a hint of spiciness in its sauce, though there was a bit of cracked pepper which I was able to taste. The beef was served in a really big chunk, with a little bit of fats on the sides and in the middle. Now that’s yummy for me, but I know it’s not good for the health! Hahaha! Just like some Korean Beef Stew, Richmonde’s version was a bit oily as well. This dish serves two persons.

Pork Tenderloin with Apple (PHP 460) – It is Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with caramelized apple, fennel and shallots in port jus. I’m not fond of eating apples so I just tried a small portion of the pork. The chopped pork was a bit dry, which disappointed me. Probably, asking for an extra sauce can make it more appetizing. This dish serves two persons.

Pork and Coffee (PHP 450) – It is pork scallopini with coffee sauce, served with blanched vegetables, muffins and fried egg. The manager of Eastwood Cafe said, this is one of the chef’s most recommended main dishes. Well, judging by its name, it really is one unique dish- breaded pork with coffee sauce. We were definitely intrigued so we had to order it. Well, the pork was a bit dry so we had to ask for an extra coffee sauce. The taste of coffee mixed in the creamy sauce was evident, which was not really for my taste. I love coffee but I guess I don’t like it being mixed in my food. The muffins/ breads that came with the dish was really good. It was soft and buttery, which was just perfect!  This dish is good for one, but it can be good enough to share if you are ordering other main dishes as well.

Braised Beef in White Wine and Cream (PHP 480) – This is beef shanks with spinach and mushroom compote, served with sauteed haricots verts. The creamy sauce was full of flavours. It was somehow sweet, sour and salty. Yes, I’m confused, making me unable to decide if I really liked it. It was just too tasteful for me. Hehe! This dish serves two persons.

Chicken and Blue Cheese (PHP 390) – It is a herb crusted chicken stuffed with blue cheese, served with sauteed vegetables and basil cream sauce. I’m not fond of eating dishes with herbs, but this one was an exception. The yummy cream sauce and blue cheese somehow concealed the taste of the herbs. They served two huge parts of chicken so you can actually split this dish into two.

Beef and Summer Vegetables in Peanut Sauce (PHP 420) – This is Richmonde’s take on the classic Kare-Kare. It is braised beef shank, crispy beef tripe, blanched bok-choy and haricot vert in peanut sauce, served with Richmonde’s native shrimp paste. This is no ordinary Kare-Kare. The peanut sauce made it unique and delicious. You can actually see from its color that it’s not the usual orange sauce. It has a mix of something else, making it dark brown (one is soy sauce, I guess). Whatever is in their Kare-Kare sauce, I can say that this dish is one of the must-order. This serves 2 to 3 persons.

We aren’t really big eaters, but we were all so curious on how their food tasted, which is why we ended up ordering a lot. Hehehe! Over-all, we weren’t disappointed. I was a happy birthday celebrant with a happy tummy when I headed home. Uh… Actually, I didn’t really go home yet. I had to grab some coffee first since I was sooo full. Ooops… and I tried my luck at Resorts World. LOL! True enough, birthday celebrants are lucky! LOL!