NIU by Vikings

It's my mother's birthday!! We love food so this time we opted to check out NIU by Vikings, the high end version of the usual Vikings - I guess.

Reservation is a must!!! Lesson learned! If you do not want to wait around it's better to get a reservation beforehand. The area is nice, the ambiance and atmosphere is different from the other branches.

I wasn't able to sample all of the food since, unfortunately, there are tons of things that I don't really eat. But the spread of food in the buffet area is splendid! It is worth the looks and quality. They also offer wine and other imported beers included in the buffet price besides the usual various drinks they offer.

All in all, I could say it is a nice experience but with its price? I think I'll come back for sure but most likely it will be for a special occasion. What can I say?? I'm not really a big eater and I'm a cheapskate if I can't get my money's worth!

Now time to get back to my packing!!


Cheapskate ~ ♥A

Aya's birthday = Food tripping

It's Aya's birthday and well.. I have a suspicion she'd plan the whole day to be spent in a food induced coma! Oooppss! Not that I am complaining.

Starting with this soooooo adorable siopao. I just can't get over it.It's so cute it took me forever to decide whether I'll be able to eat it or just look at it. Along the way to visit Lolo and Mama's resting place we munch on these cute little stuff along with some other junks (peppero, cookies and chips). Not quite an ideal berakfast, I know.

So anyway, Aya has planned to dine us out for her birthday. We head out straight to SM Mega Fashion Hall to check out the Spanish restaurant Boqueria, only to walk rounds and rounds in the mall and finding nothing. And just then, we decided to just head on to Alqueria Restaurante that later we were informed was the former Boqueria! *oh fate! lalalalala* hahaha

Look at the evidence!!! =P

 

Food wise, everything sounds nice from the menu and looks better once served.

pulpo a la gallega 

ensalada

Chicharones

Paella queso Manchego

Paella Seafood

While, it is pretty good, I must say it is a bit on the pricey side. But nonetheless, I think you get your money's worth with the quality of the food. We took our time eating and did not notice the time. While it's already in the afternoon, we can't leave without having a dessert. However, we decided to get it from St. Marc cafe.. I'm a happy girl today!!! Lol

Random dates with old friends

My girls and I see each other regularly and so this time we invited a third wheel! Lol

It's funny cause earlier this week, we three met for coffee even if we are set to have lunch today. We're a couple of impulsive people I guess. (And I scraped my right knee because of him!! Well, not really, he just rushed me to come over the coffee shop and given that I'm clumsy.. what did I expect? XD)

So yes.. our lunch at Gino's pizza was extended to dessert and afternoon coffee/tea.

It was nice seeing them and it felt like time and again is not enough whenever we catch up with each others lives.

Party - Work - Lunch date

Talk about work-life balance.

Let's start Friday night when we headed out to a family friend's birthday celebration in Bentekwatro Restobar Grill in Pasig. Well, the place is a typical restobar. Some place you can hangout after a long day at work maybe, somewhere you can hangout and loosen up. It's not fancy but a casual and a comfy spot to get a drink. And please don't expect a smokeless grill! Lol

A buffet spread of several delicious concoctions were offered in the party. The celebrant was one of the owners of the place, he knows good food and we all appreciate good food! The tuna was really awesome and it is included in their real menu. Well, everything was nice and better with drinks, you know what I mean.....

It was a short affair for me since I needed to head on for work then but not after I had my fill! I'm feeling a little bad tonight because my sister and I had a few drinks before I left for work. Hope no one get to notice it. But really, I do think I look better after a few drinks. jk!

Anyway, from work... I met with the girlfriends for another Japanese buffet. Off to line up outside Genji M in Makati. We did not expect the crowd lining outside the restaurant for the buffet. Anyway, we did get in. It was okay, the food was not bad or maybe I just lost my appetite after all those time that we lined up outside and waited for our queue.

more and more with Aya

Quick date...

And we are some girls who really spend more on food more than anything else.

After seeing Samurai X in the big screen, we went straight to Yabu for lunch. And I'm claiming my free tonkatsu meal since it's my birthday! Yabu is awesome like that. And well, we didn't get to take a photo of our food. Too busy swooning over the movie and chitchatting on what we are missing doing together.

Stayed a little longer than necessary, just because.... we ate many and we are enjoying the place. The little noise of other people talking and people watching as well while we do our own chattering.

We are full and happy, but what is a meal without a mouthwatering dessert. I so  love desserts it is a crime not to indulge in it once in a while. But then we thought of finding a cup of coffee first. So, she heard of this place, Mochicream Café, having a yummy mochi cream. Mochicream Café it is then! And being the big sister who is a lost cause when it comes to directions and maps, we roamed the lot of SM Megamall in search for the café. It was located in the new wing - Fashion mall.

And then, walking around.... we came across this! Would this day be any more sinful than it is now?

The answer?? Please don't judge! hahahaha cause, we head out and found this....

St. Marc's Café's Choco Berry Celebration

All in all... well, the sweet-tooth monster in me is doing the happy dance! The mochi cream was awesome but then pick your flavor carefully. If I may just say, really, all things fits differently. And then another frozen delight at St. Marc's - totally nice! But I certainly cannot finish the whole servings alone. As pretty as it is, it is for someone who fancies freezing goodness. It's like the Japanese version of a complex halo-halo. Not your regular concoction though! No wonder it's popular at all. I like it all the same anyway, and will certainly be back for more... soon, I hope so.

Happy and satiated,
♥A

birthday and news...

Turning another year older! Wow! just like that.. I'm half excited, a quarter thrilled and a quarter scared.

I don't have that money to blow off and throw a party since.. hmm.. I'm saving for my dream vacation booked on November that's why I decided to just treat the family to Banzai - Japanese buffet restaurant located at SM Mall of Asia. I've read a couple of awesome reviews about this restaurant and since I love Japanese food, why not treat myself too. Besides, it's my birthday so I should get to pick where to celebrate.

The restaurant is huge that it can accommodate a real crowd of say more than hundred for sure. And yes, prepare to feast your eyes for the food selections. There are a wide variety of food and drinks to choose from and most of it is all Japanese. It was really confusing where to start because you may want to try all of it.

What can I say? It was impressive and everything looks appetizing. I gazed at everything and it made me more confused, so I did try what I love to eat first (rolls, sushi and sashimi) before checking out the others. But most of the time, I would just stick my fork to my sisters' plates. Lol I really have a lazy ass sometimes, and given that I am seated in between my sisters.... I get to say "Please get me some of those as well..."

Photo credits to my sisters since I am too busy eating and thinking of ways on how to inform my parents on my up coming vacation. I am too absorbed with myself today but I did enjoy my dinner. The food was nothing less spectacular. I think you get more than what you pay for - food choices, good service, great food. I wasn't able to try everything but then there will always be a next time.

And I skipped being the privileged birthday celebrant to be serenaded with the birthday song by the restaurant staff . Even if my family insisted, it's a NO! I wouldn't be able to live after. I just can't and I don't want the attention. I'll die! Maybe dying from it is too much to say.. but still.. It's a huge no, ever! Oh and about my vacation, the parents did not like it very much but I hope they warm to the idea eventually. It's only for a week and I don't think it's that far.


Forever the 'shy' birthday girl,
♥A
 

Greg & Sally Garden Cafe

Everyone is recovering from the typhoon because life must go on.. same with our Sunday breakfast date like the usual.

This time we traced the way to Greg & Sally Garden Cafe close to our home. Well, maybe not that near just in the same city area.

 The map is cute and it would have been fun to explore the vicinity with it if only the place was not under renovation.

In the morning, the main courses are not available. Noted for next time because we wanted to try something else. In general, everything feels comforting, homey and yummy. Not the gourmet kind of yummy but the "it feels home" kind of yummy. I hope we get to come back after when the place is all done and back to normal.

♥A