Mexican Meal At Meximama Cocina Latina

I love the fact that I still have time to enjoy one of the few things I love doing the most and that is, exploring dishes from diners that are yet to be discovered by other foodie enthusiasts. Though having only a single day-off per week, I always see to it that my off-duty is utilized wisely and I always make sure to give my body enough rest before planning for anything.

Since I was scheduled to serve my duty in the morning a day prior to my day-off, I was able to catch some good night sleep and was fully energized the next day. Staying at home seems fine, but going out with a friend (or friends) sounds even better.

My friend, Mae, introduced to me this Mexican-inspired diner set in the quiet area of Marina Mall, Lapu-Lapu. I'm not much of a fan of Mexican food, but I don't mind munching some nachos and quesadillas topped with Jalapeños for a change... or whatever Mexican food is available.

Meximama Cocina Latina

With their bright, illuminating signage and wooden tables and chairs, I don't think you'll ever miss this place out, that's if, of course, you're trying to locate this small diner.

Here's a list of their menu sans the ones on their blackboard. I forgot to take a picture of the ones written on their blackboard, but they also serve other Mexican specialities like chimichanga and churro.

(1) Quesadilla Negra in 3 cheese and jalapeño, (2) Mexi Mama Sisig.

(3) Costillas  de Cerdo, (4) Pollo Ala Plancha.

Humbly owned by a Filipino chef, this small diner has so much to offer! Just because you're on a strict budget, doesn't mean you can't get to enjoy your sudden Mexican food craving. I highly recommend this place if you're up for authentic Mexican meal!

Beach Feels: Oyster Bay

For someone who grew up in the city, beaches and mountains will always be considered as paradise. Life in the city is great, but no malls nor fascinating gadgets can beat nature. Nothing beats nature. Everyone knows that, hahaha.

Imagine yourself enjoying your meal while feeling the fine, white sand on your feet and hearing the beautiful sound of the waves – ah, truly a wonderful experience. Sadly, granting that sudden urge right away seems impossible, unless you live near the beach.

Thankfully, there's an alternative to that beach feels you've been craving for quite some time. The feeling may not exactly be the same as being by the beach, but at least you still get to imagine yourself being there while enjoying your scrumptious seafood meal.

Oyster Bay, located at Bridges Town Square, Mandaue City, is a tropical-inspired restaurant that offers mostly seafood.

You actually have the option to enjoy your meal inside or outside. We opted to sit on their comfy orange couch since the kids wanted to see the sharks located in the lagoon. Shark feeding is open daily at 7:30 P.M.

You can also order their live seafood and choose straight from the aquarium. It's quite expensive since it's priced per kg, if I'm not mistaken.

This is how our table normally looks whenever my family and I eat outside; toys scattered everywhere, sharp and glass utensils placed aside. Yes, that's pretty normal whenever you bring a kid or kids with you. 

Setting aside our messy table, I'm happy to see my nephew enjoying his post-birthday celebration with his slice of chocolate cake. Thank you to the waiters and waitresses for singing him a happy birthday and for his surprise cake!

Price ranges from Php. 250.00 to 1,500.00. The one who entertained us was very accommodating and quite a joker, too! Good food plus good service, indeed. I totally recommend this restaurant to those who wish to have a relaxing lunch/dinner with their loved ones or friends.

Spice Up Your Day At Gibb's Hot Wings

I never thought that chicken wings (hot wings, specifically) would become an uprising trend here in the city. Being a constant lover of drumstick, entering in a restaurant that offers nothing but wings is a challenge I dare to accept. Bring it on, wings! Bring. It. On. (*Insert muscle emoji here*)

While waiting for our food, I overheard the owner and a customer who is seated right across our table talking about the restaurant and how the owner ended up with the name "Gibb". I'm the kind of person who doesn't interact much with strangers, so it was somehow a chance for me to listen to the owner narrating the story of his restaurant.

Based from what I've heard, the owner originally planned of naming the restaurant "Frank",  but his wife contradicted his plan since there's an existing food establishment named "Monster Frank". His son, if I'm not mistaken, thought of naming their restaurant after their dog. This idea was accepted by his dad slash the owner and is now a name everyone's been crazing about.

P.S. After reading other blogs, I just found out that the owner's name is Frank Oliva. I guess that answers the question of how he came up with the name "Frank".

Potato Wedges (Php. 80.00) | Hot Wings for levels 1-3 (Php. 175.00)

The first time I got there, they didn't have Potato Wedges available, so I couldn't either attest or contradict my friends' various opinion about this. Luckily during my second visit, we went by the place earlier, so we were able to find a table without a sweat and order their Potato Wedges. After grabbing a bite of one of their best-selling appetizer, I'm giving it a two thumbs up!

As for their specialty, who wouldn't want to crave for more? (Now, I want to eat there again)

My friends, who're fond of spicy-flavored food, went for level 3, also known as insanely hot. During my first try together with ze boyfriend and his classmates, we had level 1 (hot), 2 (original), and house blend juice served in a pitcher (Php. 125.00). You can also ask for water (which is for free, by the way) if you don't find their juice enough to calm your burning tongue down.

P.P.S. Their levels 4 and 5 hot wings are priced separately.

Just like their Potato Wedges, I'm also giving their hot wings a two thumbs up! As for their rice, I think they need to work on their serving size since it's too small for Php. 20.00.

Of City Lights and Gentle Breeze: BiaLenn Bites

Yesterday was no ordinary day since boyfriend just celebrated his 22nd birthday. Another year means another blessing for you, Mister. May the odds still be ever in your favor until you get the profession you want for yourself.

It was remarkably one of the best nights for us since we had a pretty good view of the city with our scrumptious meal right in front of us. Now, I call that a perfect combination. No noise, no pollution – just the wind kissing our cheeks and a customer who was very much busy with whatever he's watching.

We all know how black and white tandem can turn nothingness to classiness, don't we? Yes, I'm sure you all agree to what I'm saying here unless you're fanatical over vibrant colors.

I had Chicken Cordon Bleu (Php. 240.00) and Iced Tea, while birthday boy had a tower of San Miguel light and Ensalada Verde (Php.180.00). Good food at an affordable price, calm ambiance – such an impeccable moment for me to call it a night.

You can find this fine dining restaurant at Copenhagen Residences (7th floor), A.C Cortes Ave., Mandaue City.

The Ranch Banilad Adventure

This dinner date with boyfriend actually happened last March, but I failed to insert this on my blog since I was busy with school and whatnot. Now that I'm in the mood to blog, I might as well pour out my comments and mouth-watering experience to get rid of my backlogs.

Please excuse my photos, dear readers (if I have one, haha). I only had my phone with me that time since ze boyfriend told me his plan just a few hours before my duty ends.

It does look pretty simple and less catchy on the outside...

...but this is how it looks on the inside. Wow, just wow.

Tom and Jerry (coke) and Woody (sprite). I did ask the waitress what these drinks are before knowing that it's merely coke and sprite, but sadly, I forgot what they added to make these sodas unique.

I opted to go for seafood that night, so I went for their Sea Food Roll.

On the other hand, boyfriend had Lemon Chicken to feed his craving.

I don't know how I've managed to store everything in my stomach considering their serving size is bigger than usual. Their food is a bit salty, but still delicious. Price ranges from Php 250.00 to 400.00, so better save up your allowance or salary before battling your way here.

Everybody Say Topokki!

My cousins and I were actually planning to eat at Braddex located across University of San Carlos, Talamban yesterday, but found out they were closed for an unknown reason. Good thing my cousin, who happens to be a graduate of the said university, thought of bringing us somewhere he is very much familiar with: Topokki Man.

It's another Korean-inspired establishment filled with cute decorations and vivid colors. It's quite unusual for me not to see any mini stove and frying plate anywhere since I'm accustomed to seeing these cooking tools in a Korean restaurant. 

Make sure you don't mistaken this place as another café establishment where you can squat with your friends and enjoy your beverages. Truth to be told, it does look like a café with all those polaroid films and post-its.

Preparation time takes about 20-30 minutes, so better hold that growling stomach of yours and extend your patience. Thankfully, I was still able to hold on despite my headache and tiredness (from duty). They do serve a flavorful meal; good enough to keep me away from major disappointment. But then, don't expect it to be extraordinarily delicious like those high-end Korean restaurants you've tasted.

Serving is good for 3-4 persons, depending who you're with and price ranges from 100.00 to 280.00. If you're on a budget spree and you're craving for a Korean meal, this place might be the answer to your problem.

Café Namoo: A Place to Play and Enjoy

Based on my research (*ehem* Google), namoo in Korean means "wood", yet if you think about it, the word namoo sounds very much like namo (ours) in Cebuano. Either way, it all boils down to how you use it based on your perspective.

"In order to be happy, one must learn how to live a fun-filled life and how to embrace various challenges that meet his or her way."

A day with them means a day of craziness and nonstop laughter. Seeing these people again after months made me realize something -- that some things never change. Indeed, we've grown a bit mature in terms of planning for our future, yet still the same if we speak of fun.

Café Namoo has more or less the same interior as Café Noriter, except for the area size. What made the former more unique is their "balloon room" and not to mention, their wacky-looking props.

Blended drinks (Php. 80.00 to Php. 170.00) and honey bread (Php. 150.00). Everything's most likely the same with Café Noriter in terms of their menu. I'm really hoping that they'd be adding more choices in their snack corner for us to munch.

Let's Get Shrimpy at Bucket Shrimps

Of all seafoods I've tasted, it's shrimps I love the most. I can never really get over it, regardless of how it's cooked. Well, hearing about Bucket Shrimps made my esophagus go "oh lala" and that, I had to try their shrimps myself since I've been hearing good reviews about it.

A friend of mine invited me and her "scammers" friends for a pre-valentines date and some catching up. It's actually great to see these people again, especially after a long and stressful day. 

My front view

Luckily, there were only a few customers when we got there since it was still around 6 in the evening. While waiting for our orders, everyone had a great time catching up and joking around. (There's no WiFi, in case you're planning to go there.)

Now, for the most awaited part of the night:

We had Shrimps in Cajun sauce (Php. 350.00), Liempo Loco (Php. 130.00), and Chicken Wings (Php. 150.00). By the way, you have to make use of your hands in eating. Don't worry, they'll provide you a box of disposable gloves.

Sadly, the place failed to meet my expectations because of the following reasons: 1) The shrimps weren't that flavorful and juicy, 2) I was actually expecting for a bigger bucket, not a shallow-looking one, 3) I find the price a bit expensive when there's only a few of you, 4) The place is quite dim and humid. I don't know about you, but I'm very particular with lighting and ambiance.

Overall, I wasn't satisfied with their food. It was worth the try, but not worth coming back.

Sizzle At Sizzling Pepper Steak House

I don't know why, but sizzled food is one of best meals I've tasted in my entire life. All thanks to the Japanese folks (correct me if I'm wrong) for discovering this method of serving a meal to their customers.

To be honest, I never knew Sizzling Pepper Steak House existed until my brother and I discovered the place by chance. It was, indeed, a good decision to try this place out and now, I can't help, but share it to my friends who've gone curious about the said place as well.

So, I've decided to revisit the place together with my friends and thankfully, they enjoyed their meal as much as I did the first time I grabbed a bite of their peppery meal.

Salmon Pepper Rice: Php. 338.00 with iced tea; Php. 336.00 without iced tea

I had Pork Curry Pepper Rice plus iced tea for Php. 220.00. It's not really their must-try, but it was the best for me yet.

Ice Giants: A Place for Desserts and Snacks

It was, yet, another busy day inside the laboratory and while on duty, two of my friends were planning to have a round of pig-out session right after duty as a way of forgetting how busy we were the entire day. Of course I wanted to have a break from such stressful day, so I said yes to their plan.

We did hear from our seniors about this newly-risen dessert and snack house nearby, so we gave it a try since it became the new trend inside our workplace.

Of course, you don't expect them to rent a much bigger space, knowing that they're still on their soft opening. The place can accommodate approximately 25-35 customers, including the tables outside.

Upper: 1. Tostillas (Php 145.00/platter), 2. Southern Style Fried Chicken (Php 155.00/3 persons) | Lower: 3. Creamy Carbonara, 4. Hawaiian Pizza (Php 165.00)

Apart from desserts, they also have other snacks for us to enjoy. We weren't really craving for something cold and sweet that time, so we opted to order carbohydrate-loaded meals.

The cream in their Creamy Carbonara had an overpowering taste, making their carbonara taste bland. Their chicken and pizza, on the other hand, weren't as big as how I expect it to look like. Disappointing, but I'm still giving this place a chance since I haven't tried their desserts yet. :)

A Merry Dinner At DuZ Grill

It's that most wonderful time of the year again! Unbelievable, yet it's about time we prepare ourselves for another year to enjoy and appreciate. 2013 did bring a lot of memories for me to value and a plethora of blessings to thank for. Hopefully, I'll end the year in a jovial mood and let such joy bring good karma throughout 2014. I'm supposed to save my sentiments for new year, but I don't think I still have the patience in doing so.

Anyway, days before the most anticipated event of the year, I've decided to shop for gifts with my friend, Mae, and boyfriend since I've been too busy with internship, as usual. After which, we've decided to do some catching up at DuZ Grill. 

The moment we got out of the car, the owner automatically went to us and welcomed us as if we've known each other for years. Such lovely act made me love the place even more!

We've managed to get inside the house while waiting for our orders to be served on our designated table. Thankfully, we were the first customers to arrive, so touring the place didn't seem to be a problem. Anyway, here's a sneak peak of what's inside the house:

Too bad we weren't able to enjoy our dinner inside since the tables were already reserved for the other customers. It's best if you reserve a seat ahead, so you wouldn't end up leaving the place and dine else where.

Now, for the food:

They only have very limited choices to choose from, so you don't have to let the waiter wait until he gets tired of standing and waiting for your order.

The three of us had spicy baby back ribs (Php. 180.00) and garlic rice (Php. 30.00) for dinner since it's one of their best-sellers, I suppose.

Apparently, I'm not really happy with their baby back ribs. Not that it's dry nor small (it's actually big, I tell you), I'm just not happy with how their sauce tastes like. Well, I might try their burger steak out the next time I pay a visit, as what Mae suggests.

Overall, the place looks more than okay; it's actually beautiful. The owner, on the other hand, is very accommodating and fun to talk to, even for a short while. Plus, you don't have to pay for more than Php. 350.00 unless you treat your other half or friends out for lunch or dinner.

Yakiniku Love At The Yaki House

Yakiniku, a Japanese term for grilled meat, has now become an uprising trend here in Cebu. Just like those Korean and Taiwanese dishes that require you to cook your own meat in a different manner, the Japanese also has their own way of keeping their customers in awe.

It was actually after our class when we've decided to try this affordable Yakiniku house in Banilad. Yes, I've passed by the place several times, but never did I have the time to try their delicious-looking meal until one of my friends called for a semi-despidida party.

Days before enjoying our awesome-tastic dinner, I had to check for reviews about the said place since I don't want to disappoint my friends, just in case I made a bad decision, yet it was likely the best decision I've made that night. Excuse me while I reminisce the scrumptious meal I had at The Yaki House with my friends, haha.

The way they marinated their meat is so good that I've been craving for more... and more.



Budget-wise, I say they're good to go. Regarding the taste, I say I'm very much satisfied.

Oh Lala Night At La Vie Parisienne

La Vie Parisienne, known to be as "Parisian Life" in English language, is a french bakery, deli, and wine library owned by none other than the Lhulliers. You can locate this place right beside La Maison Rose (The Pink Mansion).

First half of the adventure: Be in love, stay in love at Café Noriter.

It literally took me months to decide whether or not to post my night adventure at La Vie Parisienne with friends since my photo didn't give justice to the place at all. But then, I don't want to put such adventure to waste, ergo I've chosen to share my experience publicly as part of my memorabilia.

As you can see, this place is very much famous for its wine display, alien-looking drinks (alien-looking since I don't know most of them), and enticing ambiance. Yes, there's too much French feels around.

Apart from wines and some hardcore drinks, they also sell breads and macarons for customers who aren't fond of wines and whiskeys.

Apparently, we weren't able to make use of their wine library since a group of elites were enjoying their stay there and it would be disrespectful of us to join in the circle.

We had a bottle of red wine and tequila that night. That night was filled with laughters and some serious conversation. Truly worth keeping in my memory bank. 

This place should be part of your to-go list. You don't have to focus on everyone else, just enjoy your night with friends and de-stress yourself from those endless paperworks and demands from your boss.