Metro Manila Bucket List Challenge

Exploring the country especially all of the 81 provinces can be overwhelming and expensive.  For the city residents like me, lets start by exploring our environs. 
For a person that lived in Metro Manila all my life, its only very recent that I have explored areas outside of my place of residence and work. 

Metro Manila Cities

• Caloocan
• Las Pinas
• Makati
• Malabon
• Mandaluyong
• City of Manila
• Marikina
• Muntinlupa
• Navotas
• Paranaque
• Pasay
• Pasig
• Quezon City
• San Juan
• Taguig
• Valenzuela

Metro Manila Municipality

• Pateros

Have you been to all the cities and municipalities of Metro Manila?

Comment below!

Literally Eating for 10 Hours

I never thought it could be possible until we did it ourselves last Sunday.
Me and my friends met up at Igmaan, Dampa Macapagal for lunch, and since they dont have desserts, we moved to Cafe Adriatico in Remedios, Malate around 2:30.  We ended having desserts around 5:30 and decided to get a massage that ended around 7:30 just in time for dinner at Romulo Cafe in Jupiter St. Makati.  We finished eating at 10:00pm.

Lunch at Igmaan:
Halaan Ginger Soup
Salt and Pepper Squid
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Crabs with Coconut Milk
Tanigue Ceviche
2 1.5L Pepsi

Desserts at Cafe Adriatico:
Tequila Chocolate Cake
Peanut Butter Sans Rival
Mango Balls Canonigo
Suman sa Lihiya
Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Salabat, Jasmine Tea

Dinner at Romulo Cafe:
Boneless Crispy Pata Binagoongan
Chicken Relleno
Laing
Lechon Sisig
Fried Suman
Mango Cake
Choc Nut Ice Cream
Turon a la Mode

Celebrating the 1st of May at Buffet 101

Buffet Selection at Buffet 101

For 699php, you can indulge on wide selection of International Dishes and Desserts

Since the Labor Day Holiday fall mid-week, we have nothing planned but to take this as an opportunity to rest.  Then came lunch!  Since we were so bored at the house, we were on the look out for  buffet restaurants for a really long meal.

I have seen posts about Buffet 101 but  still was not able to give it a try.  Their 699php/head price is almost the same as ACE Water Spa, our favorite and the branch at Mall of Asia is nearer.

We arrived 15 minutes past 12 and we were 10th in the waiting list.  It took about 30 minutes for us to get seated and we did not waste anytime to scan through their buffet selections.  They have a wider menu from Asian to International dishes, and the dessert station was so sinfully tempting.  Choices of beverages includes beer and fruit shakes.

It was worth the money, considering the variety, taste, service and ambiance.  We would definitely be coming back!https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffet-101-International-Cuisine/323539074361420?ref=ts&fref=ts

"My Sabaw Collection" Soups I have Tried From All Over

Tyulah Itum at Vieva Satti Haus in Quezon City

Corned Beef Sinigang from Sentro 1771

Nabiyaki Soba at Suzu Kin, Makati

Chicken Binakol at Pino Bar and Restaurant at Malingap, Teachers Village, Q.C.

Mami, at La Preciosa in Laoag, Ilocos Norte

Chicken Tinola at Igmaan, Seaside Dampa, Macapagal Ave. Roxas Blvd.

Bulalo at Leslie's in Tagaytay

Pork Chop with Noodles at Tasty Dumplings, Chinatown, Binondo

Igmaan, A Relationship With Food and Restaurant

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If you ask my family of their favorite restaurant, it would have to be Igmaan Seafood Restaurant at the Seaside Complex along Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City.

It was actually my elder sister who introduced us to the place.  From her stories, this is where she hangs out with her mountaineering friends.

It was a love affair from the beginning.  We fell in love with the relax ambience and the unpretentious atmosphere.  Here, you can eat as much as you can using your hands. 

Kinilaw na Tanigue

For my father, this is the place where he can sample favorites from his hometown in Leyte.  His favorite would be their Kinilaw accompanied with a bottle of ice cold SMB Pale Pilsen.  To my mom, this is where she would compare her cooking and would actually try to prepare the same dishes at home.  Her attempt on mimicking their dish kept us coming back.  What makes it special for them is that here; they can just be themselves without being judged.  They don’t have to dress up or eat and talk in a certain way, which is hard coming from a very humble beginning.

Since that first visit, it has been a part of all our family celebrations.  Every time my parents visit us here in Manila, we would always have a meal there.  I cannot count the numbers of birthdays, including mine that was celebrated there.  Now that my sisters migrated to Canada, their homecoming would not be complete without a visit to Igmaan.

They would always go back for the Halaan Ginger Soup, Chili Garlic Shrimps, Tuna Belly, Tempura and Salt and Pepper Squid.  They have the best-baked clams, mussels and scallops.  We have tried other restaurants in the area, and seafood restaurants on other part of the city, but nothing comes close to the taste we would always go back to.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp

Baked Scallops

Prawn Tempura

Sizzling Tuna Belly

Salt and Pepper Squid

Shrimp in Tausi Sauce

We've been coming here so often that I actually overcome my allergy on shrimps.  Now we are experimenting on trying the other preparations, we tried the sweet and sour and just recently, shrimps in curry.

2 years ago, my father passed away, my sisters and mother moved to Canada leaving me here in Manila. Igmaan still continues to witness the many celebrations in my life.  Now, even our weekend day off from work is reason enough to visit the place.  We even introduced friends who became family to this second home. 

Every visit always lifts my spirit because I associate the place to happy moments in my life.  Getting full is a bonus!

Oceana, A Gastronomic Gem in SM MOA

The first I saw this restaurant was during a fun run along the bay area of the SM Mall of Asia.  I saw the posters of their brunch buffet but I finished the run early and could not wait for another 3 hours until they open.

Today we had the opportunity to visit the establishment.  We were not able to try out their Brunch Buffet since it was late in the afternoon.  Instead we tried out their Ala Carte Selections.

The white interiors reflect the ocean concept with blue as the accent color.  The walls were made interesting through the lighting and the back-lighted damask cutout on walls.  It's a culinary art school, restaurant and event place in one.

The all glass walls provides an unobstructed view of Manila Bay, and the buildings along Roxas Boulevard are spectacular during the sunset and night time.

We tried one of their Lenten Specials, the Cereal Prawns and Chili Pesto Pasta.  For 550 pesos, it comes with unlimited drinks, soup, salad and appetizers.

The prawns were perfectly cooked and the heat from the chili pasta was subtle.  The soup was good, but the 3 appetizers were great.

Cereal Prawns with Chili Pesto Pasta

Chicken Pate with Crustini

Mushroom and Tofu Appetizer and
the Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

 

Another reason to come back to Oceana would be their Unlimited Cakes and Coffee for only 200 pesos.  They have 7 cakes to choose from, perfect for a lazy afternoon.