We celebrated my brother-in-law Wings Soriano's 35th birthday last December...the way most adult celebrations go (on a regular weekday)...with dinner, and then some music and light drinking.
First stop was at Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, in their branch at Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City. It was a gift-treat from Mommy Lily, my mother-in-law, who is based in Los Angeles, CA. And although all our kids weren't there, as well as family members in the U.S., we tried to make the most of this rare opportunity for family bonding by the Soriano men by exchanging stories and catching-up, showing each other photos of our kids, handing-out Christmas gifts, etc. amidst good old Italian-American food. |
| The Birthday Boy and his Lady-love, Kath. :) |
My father-in-law, Daddy Chito | Brother-in-law Andrei and his girlfriend, Eden.
The following are some photos of what we ordered off the Joey Pepperoni menu:
 |
| Mozzarella Sticks for Antipasti (Appetizers) |
 |
| House Salad with Caesar Salad dressing for Insalate (Salads) |
We heard that, a visit to Joey Pepperoni is never complete without an order of pizzas. And so...
...we tried their Pizza Pizza Promo at the time:
Hawaiin Pizza. Another one with pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, and onions
 |
| ...And of course, Joey Pepperoni's "The Works" Pizza (smoked ham, pepperoni, bacon, salami, mushrooms, ground beef, onions, bell pepper, and olives) It was so yummy that Cupid (again) forgot to take a photo of it before everyone started grabbing slices! :) |
And what's pizza without pasta?
 |
| Lasagne alla Bolognese (layers of lasagna sheets filled with bolognese and bechamél sauce topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese) I never tried this so I can't say how it tastes. But Eden seemed to like it. She finished the whole thing...though slowly (I guess, because the serving size was too big for her) :-) |
 |
| Penne alla Vesuviana (penne pasta with bolognese sauce topped with bechamél sauce and mozzarella cheese) Cupid said this dish was just "okay". Nothing spectacular. It was too bland for him that he even had to add salt to it. |
 |
| Gamberi (Pomodoro sauce with shimps and bacon bits) This was my order. Again, it was "okay". I actually expected it to have a more "seafood-y" taste to it. Also, the shrimps were sweet but a little overcooked. I've tasted better Gamberi elsewhere. But, to be fair, it was actually "better" than Eden's and Cupid's pasta orders. ;-) |
For Dolci (dessert), we had...
 |
| Frozen Cappuccino Mud Pie (layers of vanilla and coffee crumble ice cream in a tasty and delicious cookie crust) Now this... we LOVE! |
 |
| Vanilla with Chocolate Chips (from the Gelato by Joey Pepperoni line)! |
 |
| Image from ViewManila |
Wings then invited us to come watch Kath sing at Beer Belly Bar and Restaurant, at the Madison Square complex, which was just a stone's throw away. The place was packed with customers, some eating, others drinking. By the bar was a small but elevated stage set up for live music. I truly enjoyed and loved Kath's repertoire of "90's-female-R&B-songs".
 |
| Inside Beer Belly Resto-Bar. Wings seen here listening to and supporting Kath (background) who was performing that night. |
Wings ordered beer for everyone, and Coke Zero for me. On the other hand, Eden ordered this cocktail pitcher containing a "bright-blue-colored" concoction called, "Jenny's Illusion". I was a little reluctant when she and Andrei asked me to try it. But since it was Wings' birthday, I decided to give it a go. It was my first "alcoholic drink" since "banishing drinking" in 1998. It was okay. Can't say I liked it. Didn't drink a second time.
Wings' friends and some colleagues from the music and bar scene soon arrived, and that signaled to us that it was time to leave and "hand over" the birthday-boy and our table to them. It was just as well. Cupid still had work the next day, plus, my eyes were getting really tired and heavy. Turned out that Cupid was struggling to keep awake too. Indeed, not everyone is born a "night-owl" like Wings.
Cupid and I, sporting "Garfield-eyes"! ;-)
Overall, it was both a fun and relaxed birthday celebration! Can't believe that my brother-in-law is now 35 years old! First met him when he was just a wee-28 year old (hehehe)...and he still looks the same now as he did then! I wish I knew exactly what keeps him looking "forever young". Could the "night-scene" actually be the key to the "fountain of youth"? I wonder!
Happy Birthday, Wings! Stay young! Rock on! We all love yah! :)
