What’s up with Life’s A Bliss?

I’d like to thank all of my readers who have consistently visited, read and provided comments in my blog. You guys are just awesome!!! You inspire me to continuously experience the sweet life and share/shout it to the universe.

You might be wondering, what’s up with me for the past weeks? Why was I a bit out of the radar? Let me share what’s been “brewing” in my life.

I’ve been out of the country for my Global Marketing class in Ateneo, fixing my Angus Beef Tapa business with a friend, did initial Travel Planning business with another friend, earned those three letters after my name by completing all requirements and (finally) graduating at Ateneo Graduate School of Business (and had a series of celebrations after which), did some “raket” and some more ”raket”, managed my 8 to 6 job as a marketing practitioner and crafted plans to make Life’s a Bliss better, bigger and bolder.

With that, Life’s a Bliss is moving to it’s new home www.lifesabliss.ph!!! You may now read my entries through this site from hereon.

I will be mum for now as I don’t want to squeal what I’ve been “cooking”. This I can tell though, it will be super fun, engaging, awesome, exhilirating, action-packed, (I will run out of adjectives soon)……but more importantly, more heart = )

Watch out for September 15, 2011!

Life is, indeed, a bliss = )

 

SM Imax and Yellow Cab Pizza-All-You-Can

To all movie fans and pizza lovers, this is the perfect treat you’ve all been waiting for!

From July 14 to 17, 1pm to 6pm movie screenings, you get to enjoy Yellow Cab’s Pizza All-You-Can for just P199.

Flavors include Yellow Cab Cheese and New York Classic Pizza.

Valid only at SM North Edsa and Mall of Asia.

For more details, call SM North Edsa at 929-5452 or 924-4274 and SM Mall of Asia at 556-4629 or 556-0242.

 

 

Big Breakfast @ Bag of Beans, Tagaytay

Nothing beats an early morning big breakfast prior to attending a wedding at Tagaytay.

Best choice? Bag of Beans.

We were too eager to enjoy their breakfast, that we went there without even taking a bath yet!

When we arrived, there are already a number of diners enjoying their breakfast buffet. We surveyed their buffet set-up but we opted to enjoy their ala carte breakfast items instead. Don’t get us wrong, their breakfast buffet really is a feast but since we have a wedding to attend, we are trying to manage our appetite so we’d still manage to look great in our clothes. Add to that, a friend wanted to eat something not present in their buffet. I tell you, it was a difficult decision to make!

Oh well, we said we can always come back.

Enough said, I’ll let the pictures do the talking about how we started the day uber right. Thanks to Bag of Beans!

Hot Cocoa and Unlimited Brewed Coffee — perfect caffeine fix! I had two cups of their brewed coffee. Perky me!

A hefty serving of Chicken and Pork Adobo with a cup of garlic rice, two eggs (which you may opt to be prepared to your own liking — sunny side up, scrambled, poached, boiled), fresh vegetables and pickled vegetables.

I liked the balance of the sweetness of their Chicken and Pork Adobo. Aside from that, it is not swimming in too much oil.

Daing na Bangus with Bag of Beans’ staple combination — eggs, rice and vegetables. I didn’t get to taste this but my friend said it was just okay. I just wished that they’d make it boneless as my friend has difficulty eating it.

A side order of Bacon which my friend ordered to give in to her craving.

A side order of Sausage. I like the moist, tender and flavorful bite to it.

This plate of Scrambled Eggs was prepared to another friend’s liking. She changed her mind after being served her Sunny Side Up Eggs. Good thing, Bag of Beans succumb to her will. Excellent customer service!

Another friend is a slave to Pumpkin Soup. It was served with one bread roll and butter. He said he tasted far better pumpkin soups.

The much taked about Grilled Porkchops by that friend, we never hear the end of it, is finally in front of him. It is served with mashed potatoes and buttered vegetables. It certainly made his day!

Lastly, I ordered their popular Cinnamon and Raisen Bread but totally forgot to take a picture. I devoured it upon serving.

Yes, we will definitely come back. Hopefully soon!

 

 

Big Brothers Burger @ 50% Off

Burger lovers are in for a treat this July 1 to 12 as Brothers Burger offers the all-time favorite half-pound, flamed grilled patty with fresh lettuce and tomato, catsup and mayonnaise, all on a toasted small oatmeal bun for 50% Off.

Big Brothers Burger can be availed at P97.50 only (original price is P195) both for dine-out and take-out. This promotion is valid in all stores at 2pm to 6pm.

Don’t miss this treat!

 

 

Chibog-Busog @ Chic-Boy (Chicken at Baboy) Restaurant

I often pass by Timog Avenue and Chic-Boy never fails to catch my attention.

Aside from its catchy restaurant name “Chic-Boy” which stands for their main menu offering, Chicken at Baboy, their parking area are always almost packed. I’ve also learned that Chic-Boy is a subsidiary of Pier One Bar and Grill. Those are more than enough to pique my curiosity and my desire to try Chic-Boy soon.

Finally, we decided to have lunch their one weekend. Upon entering the restaurant, I was actually reminded of Mang Inasal. They have a number of similarities in their restaurant set-up, process and menu.

Mang Inasal and Chic-Boy both have order counters which employ the Order and Pay Now scheme. 

 

After ordering, you will be given a number stand, which again similar to that of Mang Inasal.

Even their tables and chairs look the same!

Lastly, Chic-Boy also offers unlimited rice, which we all know was the key to the success of Mang Inasal.

I’ve noticed though that in terms of menu portfolio, Chic-Boy has more to offer to the customers. They have P99 Chibog-Busog Value Meals, Soups, Side Orders, Merienda, Desserts, Sizzling Specials and All-Day Breakfast.

Chic-Boy’s Ensaladang Manga, at P25, is a steal! Just take a look at how generous the serving is.

I think though that they should lessen the portion of onion slices as it is overpowering the taste of tomatoes and green mangoes.

We ordered their bestselling Cebu Lechon Manok Value Meal which comes with a generous serving of chicken for just P99. The chicken is bursting with flavor. In fact, you can easily taste the herbs used in marinating it.

Take note, you can have as many cups of rice as you can. Add to that, you can enjoy their bottomless iced tea by just adding P25. Good deal, huh?

This is perfect for those who are in a quest for good food, with big servings, at an affordable price.

Another bestseller is their Cebu Lechon Liempo Value Meal at P99. For me the taste was just okay. But then again, who can complain? This is just at an affordable price of P99.

For dessert, we ordered their Saba in Syrup P25 and Turones Con Leche P30. Nothing too fancy with the desserts, but we nevertheless enjoyed it because we were amazed at how low the prices are.

We had to request for a bigger bowl for mixing the ingredients of Saba in Syrup. It was very difficult to mix and eat, given how small the bowls they originally served the dessert with. I think they should highly consider that.

The Turones Con Leche was served hot. We liked how generous the banana filling is inside the roll. I just wished I ordered a scoop of ice cream to better enjoy this.

As mentioned above, if you are looking for good food (nothing too fancy though), with big servings and at an affordable price, then Chic-Boy is the place to go.

 

Chic-Boy Timog Branch is at 104 Timog Avenue, Bgy. Sacred Heart Quezon City. For Delivery and Reservation contact (02) 4426494. Open for 24 hours with Live Band nightly.

 

ZARA SALE Now!!!

I am one of the avid Zara shoppers. I know you are too!

Don’t miss out on ZARA’s Big Sale starting June 30 to July 14, 2011.

Let’s splurge!!!

Zara stores are located at Rockwell, Glorietta 3, Shangri-la, Mall of Asia, TriNoma and Greenbelt 5.

 

Delectable Paellas @ Hexagon Lounge

We are back at Hexagon Lounge for the nth time. My friends and I are frequently here because of its cozy, relaxed ambiance, coupled with mouth-watering, delightful dishes, concocted by Chef John Cu-Unjieng

Chef John, whom we fondly call “Chefy”, has been in the culinary business for a number of years. He used to host “How Bout My Place…Tonight?” of TV5 and was part of the Bistro Group of Restaurants and McDonald’s Philippines.

I brought several friends at Hexagon already and they only have good words to say about the food and service. Add to that, their prices are not that high, especially when you equate it to the quality of food they serve. As always, they would ask “Is this restaurant new?”.

The food offering is really exemplary but only a few knows about Hexagon. I really think that Hexagon is not given the attention it deserves in the culinary scene. Hexagon Lounge is a restaurant worth visiting frequently.

For that night, we tried two of their Paellas – Mixed Mushroom Paella and Paella Negra. It was served hot in a big, deep paella plate, overflowing with only the best ingredients possible.

Mixed Mushroom Paella has three kinds of mushrooms in it — portabello, shiitake and oysters. It also has bacon slices (which you may request to be removed if you’re a vegetarian), asparagus and manchego cheese.

Paella Negra has slices of local squids and topped with aioli sauce.

The combination of each ingredients in each type of paella is pure gastronomical bliss. This is one of the best paellas I had so far — ample servings with only the best ingredients. I lost count how many servings I had that night.

 

I give both dishes equal votes. I honestly can’t decide which one is the best among the two. You really should try these for yourselves to decide.

On top of that, you should also try their other menu offerings such as Angus Beef Tapa, Buffalo Chicken Wings and Crispy Calamares.

Argh! Now, I’m craving while I’m finishing this blog.

Visit Hexagon Lounge at 4th Floor Podium, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati. Or call (02) 8949441 or (02) 8566241 for inquiries/reservations.

By the way, Hexagon Lounge is also open for bookings. They cater for corporate functions, special events or private parties. Here are some pictures of the venue:

 

 

Celebrate your style at Style Souk, Exclusively for HSBC credit cardholders

HSBC Credit Cardholders are exclusively invited to Style Souk, a celebration of fashion, famous designers and exciting discounts.

Enjoy special appearances by renowned local designers, cocktails with overflowing champagne, special discounts and treats!

When: July 1, 2011 • 5 pm to 12 midnight (program starts at 6 pm)
Where: Greenbelt 3 Ground Level

HSBC cardholders can avail of discounts or freebies on top of the existing markdowns from the best retailers. Here’s the list of some of which:

• LUSH – 0%, 3 months installment
• BAYO – For a single receipt minimum purchase of P2,500, HSBC card holder will get a LOVE BAYO tin can set.
• SINEQUANONE - 3 months installment
• BRATPACK - Additional 5% Discount
• JUICY COUTURE - 0%, 3 months installment

 

 

 

 

Ilonggo’s Pride: Tatoy’s

You can’t say you’ve been to Iloilo, unless you’ve eaten at Tatoy’s Restaurant.

Tatoy’s Restaurant, named from its owner Tatoy, has been a way of life for the Ilonggo’s. I grew up eating here often. In fact, most of the restaurant’s staff look familiar to me. If there are family celebrations or visiting friends from elsewhere, eating at Tatoy’s Restaurant will always be part of the plan.

In between bites, we would always talk about how Tatoy’s grew from its humble beginnings. It used to occupy only a small lot, hosting a few tables. Now, it can accommodate more than a thousand people in a day. He used to manage his restaurant all by himself. Now he has a number of staff to assist.

I am hoping to meet Tatoy soon so I can hear the story straight from him. My Papa told me he’s still as simple as before. All the more he piqued my curiosity.

For now, I’ll content myself with enjoying and raving about the all-time favorite Ilonggo cuisines, prepared and served in his legendary restaurant.

Oysters are a commodity here in Iloilo You’ll easily find stalls serving the freshest and meatiest oysters. The best way to enjoy it is to steam and dip the meat in vinegar. My younger sister though insisted we get the Baked Oysters and I willingly succumbed.

Good thing I did! It was sheer delight. They were freshly baked and you can easily see that with how moist the melted cheese on top of the oyster is. Add to that, the oysters are all big.

I officially declare, this is my new favorite

The Roasted Native Chicken is one of the bestsellers. My Papa told me that they serve an average of 500 plates on a normal weekend. I wouldn’t wonder because each bite is just bursting with so much flavor. There is nothing complicated on how this dish is cooked but Tatoy’s managed to hook us in craving for this often.

Grilled Bangus is my personal favorite in Tatoy’s. In fact, I’d always ask my parents to send or bring me some whenever they visit me here in Manila. Why? Because the fish is just cooked perfectly. It is moist and succulent. You’ll easily see that when you dissect the fish.

Tatoy’s also serve one of the best Lechon‘s I’ve tasted. It is paired with a well-made liver sauce. I guess that’s the reason why, for me, eating Lechon without a liver sauce just feels incomplete. I grew up knowing that it’s a staple pair.

Lastly, their Fresh Buko Juice. Pure bliss. The coconut juice has the right level of sweetness and the meat is perfectly soft. It can be a beverage and a dessert. Add to that, I was pleasantly surprised with how big it is! It is only P35. Where else can you find that?

If you happen to be in Iloilo, or is planning to go there soon, make sure to visit Tatoy’s. I tell you, you’ll leave the restaurant satiated.

 

Dimsum @ 50% Off in Causeway Seafood Restaurant

For all Dimsum Lovers, this promo is a steal!

Feast on Hakaw, Sio Mai, Chicken Feet and more!

Causeway Seafood Restaurant, at Banawe Street, Quezon City, is offering their Dimsum at 50% from 9pm to 11pm.

This is Dimsum Heaven!

Causeway Seafood Restaurant is at 883 Banawe St., cor. Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila. For reservations, call (02) 4108690.