A Day In Japan

I was finally able to tick off a few boxes from my bucket list this year. I have less than three months to  complete them, however, but it's good to know that I mark my own word. :)

No. 4 in my 2012 list is to go to Little Tokyo. It may sound shallow to others but I swear, I've never been to this little Nippon paradise before. My Monthly Period friends and I were planning to go here for a couple of years now but we always end up staying somewhere here in the north. I was also bugging Paolo to go with me since I made my bucket list, and if I only knew from the beginning what would make him say yes, I would have been there the same day I posted it.

But here I am months after!!!

The Little Tokyo gate along Chino Roces/Pasong Tamo.

Paolo hates strolling around Makati because he's not as good as me when it comes to directions and I am just kidding! Haha! Little Tokyo isn't hard to find at all. It's right across Herald Suites along Chino Roces, formerly Pasong Tamo. It's near Makati Cinema Square! Other gate is located in Amorsolo Street.

Little Tokyo is a small compound of Japanese restaurants, and I must say, legit Japanese restaurants! I did a little research before going to this place and I found out that each restaurant here has its own Japanese chef. 

The hallway is so Japanese, I so love it!

Half of the people who dine here are Japanese nationals, too!

Hana, according to my research, serves the best takoyaki in the metro, so Pao was also excited like me. He can eat takoyaki all his life! So without arguments and paper-stone-scissor thing, we both agreed to try Hana first and decided to try the rest of the restaurants on our next time there. 

I got the right research: a Japanese cook prepared our food!

Small chairs, small tables and glass windows in wooden blinds--so Japanice!

With my date while waiting for our food. 

I know that Japanese restaurants serve big so we ordered only a few. I wanted to try other restaurants after Hana but we found out that for lunch, they only serve until 2:30 PM and resumes for dinner by 6:00 PM.

I'm a food blogger wannabe but apologies for the photos! :D

Hana Maki - salmon roll, mayonnaise and fish row.

Miso Ramen -- the most delish miso ramen ever!

Takoyaki - with real octopus bits!

Definitely a must! Uji Kintoki -- green tea with red bean kakigori. 

I. Want. Right. Now.

Cravings satisfied! Two thumbs up! :)

We roamed around a little right after our lunch and took photos so I can post them here in my blog. I have to thank Paolo's trusty cellphone camera! It's really better than my iPhone!

Leighton Meester inspired attire! Click here to know what I'm talking about :)

Bonsai trees are amazing. I love them next to pine trees!

Covering my fun, filled tummy! 

I'm absolutely going back here to try all of them. I love the fact that Little Tokyo is somehow a hidden gem. The place is not crowded, food is delicious, surroundings are beautiful. I am bringing my friends and family here! 

 ♥,

Marianne

Birthday Boy: Daddy

My father's birthday falls on the last day of February, but since 2012 is a leap year, we celebrated his birthday "longer" than the usual. Two days before his actual birthday, I invited them for a special dinner. We had a pre-birthday celebration for our number one man at City Best in Tomas Morato. I know my family would love this hotpot and smokeless grill restaurant so I took the lead.

Let me show you what kind of sisters I have through our choices of food:

Meat for my Ate Mai! Unfortunately, she's allergic to seafood!

Maki for Miming! Die hard rice-eater! Rar.

My plate: VEGETABLES. I can't live without veggies!

Our family spent a good evening with stories and discussed things we saw around while dining. We also talked about my youngest sister's graduation--what her plans are, what she plans to do, and Mom and Dad convincing her to apply for a job at... GMA. Yes, GMA Kapuso!

Sizzling. Now I want that squid.

We rarely go out on weekends because of conflicting schedules but we always make sure to at least see each other and spend time with each other at home. Breakfast at home on Saturdays and lunch on Sundays, are some of our weekly routines so whenever we go out, we thrive to make those rare moments super special no matter what.

I told you, we make it super special! ♥

 Me and my sisters!

We just stayed there for a while because Ming was dying to watch the pilot episode of Sarah G. Live. After a couple of rounds, we finished our meal with a cup of tea and photos. My family is my lucky charm!

 3M

Our styles also show how different my sisters and I are from each other. But if you'd notice, my animal prints addiction has gotten into them. Ming's wearing that animal print bottom and Ate Mai's shoe design is a tiger! And yes, that's me wearing a pair of sneakers!

With Mommy! ♥

With the birthday boy himself! We love you, Pop! Always and forever! <3

♥,

Marianne

San Valentin At Tapella

If you're still clueless on where you want to celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved one this Tuesday, think again. One of my favorite restaurants in the metro has just turned into cupid's favorite stop. Starting today, February 10, until February 15, Tapella will serve Special Menu for you and your special date.

Choosing the perfect location for Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Gaudi and Tapella Restaurant nestled at the cosmopolitan Serendra and Greenbelt 5, is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic evening. Share a cocktail in front of the bar area or enjoy an amazing prefix dinner whatever you desire, Valentine is definitely worth to celebrate.

Nothing could be more special than celebrating a delightful dinner with a sparkling Cava amidst a posh and chic ambiance. From February 10 to 15, take pleasure in a sumptuous 3 course meal good for a pair or more. Highlight of the menu is Gaudi’s best seller Chuleton Villagodio, a certified Angus Beef grilled Villagodio style and Arroz Manchego, paella bursting with manchego cheese, chicken, asparagus and shrimp paella. For those who do not fancy meat, Lomo de Mero a la Plancha, or simply grilled sea bass with asparagus paired with Arroz Sobresada, a chorizo enriched paella is definitely worth a try. Of course, before main a better way to start the meal is through a fresh salad or soup. Gorge with Ensalada de Tapella, tossed greens drizzed with house dressing or Gazpacho de Sandia, cold tomato and watermelon soup with fresh cheese and mint. And after all the indulgence on the main dishes, be sure to leave some space for Tarta de Lava, oozing with rich chocolate this cake is another Gaudi’s certified dessert contender.

Bask in the heart of Metro’s most sought venue, Tapella and Gaudi are surrounded by high end shops, top Business Offices and theatres, making it the best choice to ensure an ideal Valentine celebration. For more information or reservations, call 7572710 and 7572711.

 

Reference: Mitch Garcia - 0917 5875968 / garcia.michelle.azile@gmail.com

♥,

Marianne

Crazy For Ladurée

You know how much I love Blair Waldorf. Her style, her character(!!!), everything she does, I wanna do. And even if I'm not an elite like her and that I'm not from NY, I have an inner Blair Waldorf in me. We both like Audrey Hepburn, we both have Jenny Humphrey and that we're crazy about Ladurée macarons!

Omgaaah Blair Waldorf is made of class ♥

Whenever I feel like eating macarons, I go to Bizu (and now Sweet Bella at Burgos Circle). To note, the closest Bizu branch from where I'm located is Greenhills so I usually fail to fulfill my cravings. Last week, I was dying to have some macarons and the good news was... a former classmate from college who's now a flight attendant flew to CDG before flying back here in MNL. She Twitpic'd me a box of Ladurée and begged her to buy me a box of 8. The flavors of my choice are: Red Fruits, Raspberry, Pistachio, Chocolate, Rose, Vanilla, Praline and Mint and Strawberry.

Just a little background about Ladurée: it is a luxury pastries shop from the ever luxurious city, Paris. History says that it is the brand that invented the double-decker macaron shells with a creamy ganache filling. The perfect description for “le Macaron”? According to its very Parisian website, “These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are the most famous creation of Ladurée.” It is also the pastry brand which took charge of all the cakes used in the film Marie Antoinette starred by Kirsten Dunst.

Now that I've finally tried Blair Waldorf's favorite, I can swear by this description. I can forever munch on this. I even found myself sleeping beside its box. But of course I shared the macarons to my parents, siblings and Paolo because the best things in life must be shared to all, especially to our loved ones. :)

My oh, so precious box!

Les Macarons: two almond meringe shells with butter cream or ganache filling ♥

"Crisp on the outside, smooth and soft inside."

Raspberry, Pistachio and Chocolate.

Chocolate, Mint & Strawberry and Coffee

Vanilla, Praline and Rose.

© Photos by Mai Marcial. 

It's official! I am craaaazy for macarons! I've tried Bizu and Sweet Bella and next week, I'm gonna try Empire. Also, I was also informed that McDonald's in Paris also serves macarons. Can't wait to try each and every macaron in the world! 

If you have suggestions on where else I can get/order/buy macarons, please let me know! Email or tweet me! Thanks! :)

I really love channeling the inner Blair Waldorf in me! Okay forgive me for being such a social climber (my haters say I do it best hehehe) but never mind, I'm a Prince(ss) Macaro(n)!

♥,

Flashback: June 2010

I've been thinking of something to blog about but due to becoming a sleepyhead these past few days, I have no gimmicks or anything! I'm quite busy preparing a birthday party (for myself) haha which excites me because after 5 years of not throwing a bash, my 23rd will be amazing! Not that my past birthdays aren't good, it's just that after turning 18 years old half a decade ago, I feel like a little "thanksgiving" with my closest friends will be OK.

If we're Facebook friends, you'll know that I upload photos on a "monthly basis". I name my albums January 2011, February 2011, so on and so forth. I only create a certain album name for special events like weddings, travels and the like just to keep the minimality. #arte

I took a trip down memory lane and can't believe that these photos were taken a year ago. Shorter hair, whiter skin, slimmer... and bigger money in my bank!

Italianni's with Eysi and Yxie, north girls represent! I love it when they come to Manila! Especially when they come here only to see their friends! Such a sweet gesture! I promise to go to Nueva Ecija/Pampanga as well for only a day and spend an afternoon with them... to be as sweet as them! (Italianni's, TriNoma, 915-3582)

This is what Bigoli looked like before they transformed the whole area for Bigoli alone--there was Cafe Izzo that served yummy cakes and fraps. I don't think they still serve these sweets, although there's a small counter beside Bigoli's with gelato ice creams all over. I'll check. (Bigoli, TriNoma, 901-5742)

Sumo Sam first timers! Paolo and I loved Sumo Sam's miso soup and sushi platter but it's more expensive than Omakase... so this was actually the first and the last. Maybe we'll just eat here again if we are with our parents to pay the bills for us! Heeee! (Sumo Sam, TriNoma, 901-3262)

Chaikofi was my barkada's favorite way back in college because of its affordable food and drinks! Whenever we go out on a tight budget, I always think about it first if asked where to eat. That time I brought my high school friends at Chaikofi for them to try its frappuccino! Good to know that they liked it, but it's no longer cheap as we expected! (Chaikofi, The Block, 494-5938)

I had a trip at Willy Wonka's! I craved for gummy bears and glow worms and jelly beans after our Chaikofi coffee date special and Toto and Jessica supported my sweet tooth craving! And the photos above made me wonder... where is that necklace of mine now? I should pay my accessories box an attention this weekend! (Candy Corner, Sky Garden)

If there's Red Mango, then there's Green Mango! Yes, this store sells frozen yogurts as well but unlike Red Mango, they have soya milks sold in bottles! Toto, Jessica and Mia tried the froyos. I didn't because I already indulged in candies too much that all I need was a glass of water! (Green Mango, Sky Garden)

Welcome to Japan, not!

Welcome to Corregidor Island, yes!

Yes, it's been a year since we went to this very historical place! Corregidor Island is really rich in history and once you completed the educational tour (Malinta Tunnel, hospitals, barracks visits), I'm 100% sure that you'll be thankful for what our great grandparents and grand parents did during the World War II. And that you'll be very proud that you're a Filipino. I swear! You should get here at least once in your life, my fellow Pinoys. (Sun Cruises offers Corregidor Island tour packages. Call them at 831-8140 or 527-5555. Follow them also on Twitter or visit their website for more information.)

Thanks for taking a trip with me,