Lia's Food Journey

Monday, October 21, 2013

Lunch at Maria Luisa's Garden Room

I had a lunch date with my senior friends today. It was Tita Josie's birthday treat at Maria Luisa's Garden Room, Makati Garden Club.

Pathway going to the Cafe....

Tita Josie reserved a table for us at the French glass encased area.

We tried the appetizer... Shrimp with caviar on pumpernickel bread.

Salad de Maison- Salmon with Mango and Mustard Dressing

I had the Green Apple with Lemon and Mint juice.

Hahahaha I was imagining I had this little bottle of rum in my bag then I would pour the contents into the glass... Instant Mojito!

PD and Tita Butchie each ordered The Shepherd's Reward - Pink Roast Lamb, Remoulade Sauce, Feta Cheese, Capers, Sun-dried Tomatoes

Tita Tess had the Mid Summers Feast - "Gravlax" Cured Salmon, Dill Mustard

Tita Mita ordered The Veterinarian Midnight Snack - Danish Liver Pate, Bacon and Mushroom.

I only had the French Onion Soup minus the bread.

Tita Josie ordered the Ciopino Seafood Bake - Salmon, Red Snapper, Clams, Crab's Claws,Olives and Tomatoes. Sided by crusty bread and steamed rice.

It was a huge serving. Since everybody had their own food, Tita Joise and I practically shared the entire order!

Dessert was Mango Jubilee Crepes.

The place was filled with groups of women. Everybody was happy and the atmosphere of the Cafe was very light and joyful.

My Senior friends and I enjoyed the company of each other.

We already set a date for our November and December lunches!

I am lucky to have them as my friends!

Thank you, Tita Josie for a delicious lunch!

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Sunday with Mariger and Jona

I spent my Sunday with Mariger....

We had Tapa breakfast at the Batcave.

I let her eat all the fat!

Our dessert was White Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana.

I need to eat bananas because it is high in Potassium. I have been experiencing leg cramping for several days now. The pain was really excruciating to the point I did not even have the chance to cry! It would last for several seconds but it seemed like forever. I am also limiting my intake of Coke Zero to one serving a day. Drinking too much causes dehydration because of the sodium.

Lunch was at Jona's! Every time she comes home to the Philippines, I would always cook Kare-Kare for her.

Then in turn, she lets me try her cooking! I told her I want to eat the food she cooks all the time in New York.

I enjoyed the sliced tomatoes topped with mozzarella.

I thought the dressing was balsamic vinegar... good thing she used olive oil, toyomansi and freshly cracked black pepper! I am not a fan of balsamic vinegar unless it has been reduced to molasses like syrup.

She also cooked Penne with Grilled Chicken in Vodka Sauce.

What I love about her pasta dishes is that the sauce coats the noodles so well! I tried the sauce because I cannot eat pasta now but the spaghetti she cooked the last time she was in Manila was really delish! I even tried to replicate it but did not turn out as good as hers.

I am so proud of my friend, Jona. She graced the cover of Fil-Am Who's Who in the Tri-State Area.

She was also chosen as one of the Top Ten Filipino Women in New York this year!

Way to go, Jona Jane!

Mariger enjoyed the Tapa so much that we went to Farmer's after lunch.

Lucky us.... We were able to buy live female Talangka!!!!!!

Heavenly!!! YUMMMMM!!! I had these little creatures for dinner!

It was a fun and tummy filling day!

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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Soup for the Sick

Last night was very bad, I could not sleep well because I had a coughing fit due to allergy. It is probably the changing weather we are experiencing. My throat is so dry and itchy. My voice is very hoarse and the only food I wanted the whole day was soup.

I was searching the net yesterday and came upon this picture of Patpat's Kansi in Google Search.

Of course, as soon as I could get out of bed, which was past noon, I immediately went to the eatery and ordered, Bulalo!

Yummy marrow heaven!

Best eaten with patis, kalamansi and chili dipping sauce!

The serving was just enough for me. I do not like it if it is very big, then I would have to share the marrow. This is what I like, just the shank with bone marrow, a few bits of meat, soup and rice!

You can't be a queasy eater in this restaurant. It is just a garage converted into a dining area.

The place is popular though so I assume the owner practices good sanitation habits.

Another kind of soup to soothe my throat....

Vietnamese Pho with Meatballs.

I thought it would soothe my throat but the fresh chili made my throat itchier!

It was a good dinner nonetheless.

I just want hot soup until I feel better.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Instant Cafe Mocha Mix

I have been crazy over 3-in-1 White Coffee ever since Shey let me try the Great Taste White Coffee. I was surfing the net and thought Mocha is ever better!

So here is a simple recipe of the mix you can store in a bottle.