Old Soul

In the few times that I was asked if I would rather live 50 years ago or 50 years in the future, I never gave a black or white answer. Truth is, I'm not one to ponder on something that is beyond my reach or the confines of my reality. Yes, I am a dreamer and a grandiose one at that but all my dreams have a scintilla of possibility, at least. Anything that I cannot foresee, I let go. But of course, I am susceptible to further prodding. So if you'd really ask me nonstop to choose just one, I'd probably say "For a day, only for a day, I'd rather be in the past". Our past has a certain charm that never fails to intrigue me. 

My Tita Aida arrived in the country the morning of the 7th. She shares the same birthday with her older brother who happens to be my dad. For their joint birthday dinner, we chose to dine in La Cocina de Tita Moning. The mansion turned restaurant-museum serves a 7 course Spanish-Filipino meal and the experience of seeing how Manila is like in the late 1930s. I guess we can be considered a family of foodies as we try to sample all the best culinary places in the metro but our love of trying new dishes doesn't stop there. We're after the total experience which can be associated with the ambiance and the presentation of the table wares and the food themselves. Extra bonus, of course, for the personal touch. In all the aforementioned criteria, I am giving La Cocina a perfect 5 star. Try it, you would get your money's worth :)

Since I know the place is calling for a vintage vibe, I threw on the most vintage blazer I can find in my closet. Tadaaaa! Here's my green blazer which I inherited from my great grandmom. She wore it around whatelse but during the 1930s too.

Blazer: from my great grandmom| White lace romper: Zara| Necklace: H&M| Belt: Mango| Bag: Michael Kors| Shoes: Zara

table set-up for the night

top: mirror shot taken as soon as I've reached the second floor of the mansion

down: the huge painting of the girl behind me is by Felix Hidalgo and he entitled it "La Inocencia"

radio room

Left: I am standing beside a real cadaver. Moomoo!, Right: in front of the house

living room

birthday celebrants of the night: my dad and my Tita Aida, and their cakes

Clockwise: hallway leading to the library, my ultimate dream of using a bell to call on for help (Ate Lea! Ate Lea! Hahahaha), stairs, inside the clinic

the owner used to hold his clinic inside the mansion, the skeleton hanging is the actual cadaver used while the owner was studying in medical school

who wouldn't want to have tea if your teapots and cups are made of gold, right?

I wasn't able to take photos of the entire 7-course meal. There are other set menus to choose from, should you want to experience it too.

dressing room

Cultural dining at its best, don't you agree? :)

Birthday Dinner

A family that is a lover of food, for every birthday and occasion that we celebrate, we make it a point to try restaurants where reputable chefs are the head cook and that the ambiance calls for exclusivity. For my birthday dinner, my family and I reserved a table in Buenisimo by Cafe Ysabel. Their food are prepared by Chefs Gene, Gino and Giannina Gonzalez, so any diner could expect highly of the overall taste and presentation of the gourmet dishes. As for the place, I'd produly recommend it to anyone who has people-anxiety from time to time, just like me and my family. Besides, have I told you I've a soft spot for anyone whose name starts with a G? ;)




Appetizers:

Dip Sampler - Spinach, Smoked Fish, Chorizo and Toasted Ciabitta Slices

Foie Gras Sausage

Main Dishes:

Lengua Con Cetas - Ox tongue, Green Olives, Button Mushrooms, Brown Sauce

Pasta Ysabel - Shrimps, Fish Fillet, Mussels, Clams, Mushrooms, White Sauce

Crackling Pork Ribs - Super Crispy Pork, Cilantro Garlic Rice, Peppercorn Gravy, Cranberry Jelly

Salmon Steak with Pearl Onion Merlot Glaze and Hazel Nut Butter Cream

Lamb Stew with Garlic Mashed Potatoes


Galician Style US Riblets with Wild Mushroom Ragout
When it comes to steaks, we all prefer it cooked Medium-Rare. Carnivores! Hahaha

Dessert:

Buenisimo Molten Chocolate Cake - Chili, Saffron, Dark Chocolate Cake, Truffle Center, Caramel Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream
When I need to lose weight, I can easily let go of all the sweets. All, expect for dark chocolates. I love the bittersweet taste of this cake, and the hint of chili in every bite. Perfect!!!

 

Jumpsuit and Heels: Zara| Necklace: H&M

Let me take this opportunity as well to thank you for all the birthday greetings!!! :)

My Happy New Year

Look what I found on my drafts box awhile ago. I've totally forgotten about these photos, not that I've so many to share anyway but still. We celebrated the New Year at home, eating and drinking to our hearts' content. Around 10 30PM, we started lighting up the traditional firecrackers and fireworks. Year after year, my dad buys the best New Year crackers and fireworks. My camera's getting older and older each day that's why it can't keep up with such pictures anymore. I tried capturing some photos of them but I didn't get even a single decent photo. Oh well.



While everyone else was setting up the dinner table and other stuff, I was trying to snap away some photos of myself. Haha!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

If you want to have a wonderful dining experience, I suggest you go to Dolce Latte. With its tasteful interior design, mouthwatering desserts, succulent meals, and friendly servers, it's definitely a must try.

Located at 1616 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City, 1103 Philippines. Visit their website here: http://www.dolcelatte.ph/index.html

Hannah's best friend Anne Eugenio, who I eventually became good friends with (Hi Anne! FC din ako :>), treated us in their family owned restaurant/ coffee shop/ perfect chill place.

Foods we ate: clockwise: Gambas Al Ajillo, Salmon Alfredo, Quattro Formaggio Pizza, Italian Style Chicken Kebab, Beef and Cheese Cannoli

While waiting for your orders, you can go to the equally cool bookstore adjoined to Dolcelatte 

Desserts

I was having a migraine that time so I opted for something hot. Look at those empty plates

Top: Gap| Pants: Esprit| Belt and Flats: SM Dept. Store

Oh! We'll be there next week tuesday again. Not as customers but as the servers. So drop by around 1PM - 4PM that day and say hi. Just go there and tell us you've read this post and we'll give you a complimentary drink of your choice, if you come during our "shift". We hope to see you there :)

Thanks to Anne Eugenio for the pictures, for the title of this post, for the medicine and for the very very generous treat.