Kanin Club Despedida Dinner for the Ranjos

I mentioned in some of my earlier posts that my balikbayan relatives from San Francisco (Uncle Ernie and Auntie Nona Ranjo), spent the yuletide season here in the Philippines.   According to my brother (who possesses a VERY GOOD memory), the last time the Ranjos celebrated Christmas in the country was back in 1996...back when my siblings, cousins and I were all still young, single, without any kids, and all still living under one duplex compound!  They come visit every couple of years or so (the last of which was during my wedding in 2006), but for Christmas, the last was in '96.

Joey Pepperoni & Beer Belly for Wings' 35th Birthday

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.

Rosario and Ramen Bar with the Siblings

My siblings and I, together with our significant others, found time to go out a number of times during the recent holidays.  On one of those nights, we decided to go to the Eastwood Mall to watch the much talked-about movie/ entry in the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) -- "Rosario".

It was the first time for Cupid and I to watch a movie inside Eastwood Mall.  It was okay.  Not much different as the one in Eastwood City Walk.  Only newer.  If I were to make just one "mild complaint", it's that I wasn't able to pull up the arm rests so Cupid and I can sit close together. :(

So, let us talk about the movie.

Uncle Cheffy, Eastwood Mall (A Foodie-Mom's Review)

This was supposed to be a blog post about our annual Christmas reunion with my husband's friends from college.  But since he wasn't able to take photos of him and his friends that day (perhaps, because of excitement), I decided to just make this a review of this year's restaurant-of-choice...Uncle Cheffy in Eastwood Mall.  Though I do not claim to be a professional food and restaurant critic, I do possess the everyday-foodie-mommy's perspective in mind.

The Restaurant

Uncle Cheffy is nicely-spaced, and diners can opt to either sit inside the restaurant or dine al fresco.  Their brown, wooden, and brick interiors, plus woven chairs, give the establishment that "old-warm-homey-and-family-feel" to it (that is, if you will discount the glass walls that surround and encase the restaurant from the rest of the other food joints in the area).  There is even a bar inside the restaurant, in case one feels the need to just drink rather than eat.

Yummy Sumo Sam

I chanced upon these pictures, as I was organizing and purging file items in my desktop PC.  These were photos taken during our visit to the Sumo Sam Restaurant in Shangri-La Plaza Mall, on my birthday last year.

I totally forgot about these photos.  I guess, because it was just a little over a month after our house got flooded by Typhoon Ondoy (read the story here).  Fortunately, I still remember the flavors of all that we ordered in the restaurant that day... how much I enjoyed them... and how the experience made me forget all our problems that time even for just a moment.   So much so that I believe our gastronomic experience merits a "feature" on this blog.

Join me as I revisit our yummy Sumo Sam experience!  Enjoy the pictures! :-)

Ciento Bar and Restaurant with Wings and Kiko

Being a stay-at-home mom is a truly rewarding experience that I hope every mother gets to experience...if not full time, then at least some times.  Though, I will be first to admit that it does have its downsides.  First and foremost is that (as the term implies) you're always home!  Good thing I have other things going on in my life (such as my daughter Maia Rose, this blog, earning-from-home opportunities, mommy meet-ups and events, family, etc.).  My husband is a very busy man.  He works very hard for me and our Maia.  I am very grateful to have a very supportive husband in Cupid.  He only asks for two things from me.  (1) That I take very good care of our daughter, and (2) that I help him with our overall "budget".  And so, if it weren't for the weekly groceries and monthly bills, I almost never ask anything of him, (which includes going out).  So whenever he says, "Let's go out."...I literally jump off from my seat (after politely asking "if we have enough money"...hehehe) and then prepare to go.  But let me clarify first that this post is NOT about the advantages and disadvantages of being a SAHM.  On that issue, I always say, "To each his own."  I am simply writing about where my husband brought me to one rainy Tuesday night in August.

Taverna Verde for Waxx's Surprise Birthday Party

A late post, yet again! My husband's nephew, Joaquin (fondly called "Waxx" for short), celebrated his 12th birthday last September 5, 2009. It's now what...January 4, 2010? But as I always say, "Better late than never." Besides, I have an excuse. Remember my Typhoon Ondoy ordeal? Now sit back, relax and read. I tell you, this will be worth-the-read, gastronomically-speaking. Smile! :)

As I have stated, Waxx turned 12 last September. His mom and grandparents thought it best to celebrate it differently this time by throwing him a surprise party. And they held it, where else? In his stepdad's bistro/bar, Taverna Verde, located at the popular MetroWalk complex here in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. Cupid, my hubby, has been there, twice, with his officemates. It has become their office's favorite happy-hour place whenever their bosses from Washington, DC and/or officemates from other foreign offices come over. I was told that the food is really good and moderately priced. So I was excited to go...not just for the food or to finally see the bistro, mind you, but also for the chance to take part in the celebration of Waxx's birthday. Waxx just happens to be my original, favorite "nephew-in-law." This is true.

Amici (Updated)

(article updated and added more photos on Jan. 4, 2010):

The first Saturday of September 2009 was a very ful-"filling" day for me and my family. After seeing the pediatrician for my baby girl's shots, my husband decided to to take us all out for lunch -- him, our daughter, the yaya and I.

Having seen how much I missed eating Italian cuisine, he thought it best to take us to Amici at the Megamall.

We've eaten at Amici before...back when it was originally called Amici di Don Bosco...at its first and only branch inside the Don Bosco School compound in Makati. It looked more like a trattoria or cafeteria with simple, unassuming yet presentable decor; and, if I'm not mistaken, run and operated by a coop that mostly comprised the school's maintenance and service personnel.

Missed our "eating spree" and dates at Pasto Cafe

As I stated in my previous post, my husband took me out on a date last weekend. But it wasn't just a date to the movies.  He went all out and bought me a pre-movie snack -- Shawarma from Side Wok Shawarma at the Promenade in Greenhills; then for the movie he bought a bucket of cheese-flavored popcorn, a bar of Nestle Crunch, half a dozen of assorted cookies from Mrs. Fields, and bottled water to wash everything down :)

For our post-movie grub...he took me to one of my favorite Italian restaurants...Pasto (Italian Cafe & Dessert Bar). I really missed eating there. The last time we ate in Pasto, I was still pregnant with our Maia. And she is now 1 year and 3 months old!