celebraTINg exisTENce

Ay grabe, Tandang Sora Vicinity! Punong-puno na po tayo ng restaurants and food parks, pansin ko lang. Lakas maka-baboy, life!

I've been seeing this small Japanese Restaurant along Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City named Shonan Tei for months but it was only recently that we went there and tried eating. I wasn't able to search online about their menu and all so everything was a surprise. Sarap naman and affordable, pwede na especially 'cause the servings are generous.

Tori Karaage

Deep Fried Japanese Style Fried Chicken Fillet

P 200.00

Skin was crunchy, the meat was tender. It might be me and my safe food choices but this is the best for me out of all the food we ordered that night.

Katsu-don
P 220.00

Potato Korokke
P 150.00

Japanese version of croquette.

Ninnikuma

P 50.00/stick

Grilled Chicken Thigh with Grilled Sweet Garlic

These has to be the sweetest garlic I've tasted.

Nikutamagotoji
P 220.00

Somen Cold
P 200.00

White thin noodles dipped in soy sauce

It's their version of Korea's Naengmyeon. The only reason why I ordered this Somen Cold is because of the video I saw years back when the noodles are passed through a bamboo and it's up to the eater to catch using chopsticks. I don't think it's for everyone though 'cause no one else in my family liked it. haha! It's probably because I've been exposed to Naengmyeon before that I enjoyed this.

Operating Hours:
5PM - 1AM

863 Mindanao Avenue, Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City

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Given the many options of Chinese food in Banawe, Quezon City, one would really find it hard to decide which place to eat - one I can recommend is Xiao Nan Men in Z Mall.

King Fish in Mango Chili Sauce

I found this refreshing probably because of the mango in the sauce rather than the usual sweet and sour.

Deep Fried Stinky Tofu

I didn't know that this dish's name is Stinky Tofu 'cause I was only told that this one's tofu. I immediately reached out and got a slice only to find out that this food is an acquired taste. As in. don't get me wrong, this must be delicious for other people (I heard it's a popular snack in Taiwan) but the taste and the small is certainly not for me.

For this, the stinkier, the tastier.

Stir Fried Taiwanese Sausage

You can't really go wrong with slices of sausage. I like that this isn't that sweet.

Three Cups Chicken

Chicken slices in black sauce with mushroom and garlic.

Sliced Beef Fried Rice with Bell Pepper

Ito 'yung sinasabing, "kanin lang, ulam na."

Scrambled Egg with Special Sauce

This is their version of omelette. I like the topping it has, it compliments the beef fried rice.

I wasn't able to get the names of the dimsums below

Buttered Chicken

Reminded me of Baguio's Good Taste

Thank you, Xiao Nan Men and Aldous! :)

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Aside from the chocolate dipped potato chips, I never really had the chance to try Royce's chocolate despite seeing it all the time whenever I'm in Trinoma.

Not until they held this raffle that for every 3,000 php spent is a possible to ticket to Japan. haha! We joined. :)) And hence, these chocolates.

Forget the other two 'cause albeit not being matcha, this is the star of the purchase.

Champagne Pierre Mignon

Definitely of the best quality that we (four) finished this one seating despite the constant reminder that a small box costs almost P 700.00 HAHAHA

You can smell the scent of the champagne in each bar. This is the only time I enjoyed chocolate infused liquor. Kind of reminded me of my favorite Dove chocolate from the states because they're both melt in your mouth though this is much creamier and with a more velvety texture.

I would have really liked it have we won the raffle, universe so I can stuff my mouth with all the nama chocolates especially the matcha one which, heartbreakingly, is not available in the Philippines.

Come on, Royce Philippines!! Bring the treasure here! :))

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Healthy just got delicious.

Excited to share with you my first vegetarian cafe experience.

I was in Cebu with an unstable internet connection when Aldous texted me that we'll have an event in Agico Cafe so I was like, "Okay, I'll be there." without searching what their offerings are. I don't frequent San Juan area 'cause it's either I'm in Quezon City or far South in Pasay or Taguig so I haven't heard about them plus the stigma that vegetarian food is boring kaya out of my radar. Sorry na pooooo.

Came Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, I was about to text Aldous that I won't be able to make it to the event because I had to abstain from eating meat when I decided to search Agico's Cafe Instagram account once again and by then, I already noticed the word Vegetarian between the words Agico and Cafe. So safe, meatless naman pala. For us Roman Catholics, the meatless meals of Agico are perfect for the Lenten Season.

For nagbabalik-alindog, perfect for summer outing preparations. haha.

Until now pag nakikita ko 'yung pictures, napapaisip pa rin akong, "How can vegetarian food be that good?" Ang saya talaga and ang guilt-free.<3

Bacon Mushroom Burger

P 288.00

If you're not aware that these are meat substitutes, you'll really get tricked. It's amazing and confusingly delicious.

What the burger looks like.

Loved the healthiest burger I've had my whole life.

Butayaki Maki

P 258.00

I loved that Bacon substitute as much as I am curious to know what it really is. hehehe. All the ingredients are made from scratch, 10 years of experience and experimentation. No wonder all the meals that were served that night were all good.

Okonomiyaki
P 280.00

One of the very few times that I didn't get umay when I eat Okonomiyaki.

Gyoza
P 158.00

Notice that they have a lot of meals from the Japanese Cuisine. They are, afterall, a Japanese inspired Vegetarian Cafe. They have their own version of ramen and rice bowls as well.

Tofu Steak
P 230.00

I love tofu so it's a no-brainer that I'd like this one too.

Beef Tapsilog

This is the meal that really piqued my curiosity. That's meat substitute that is made from mushrooms (?). Seriously, it felt like biting a very tender and flavorful beef slice. Tapa without the guilt!

Baked Lasagna

P 268.00

This has to be one of the best lasagnas I've ever had. It's also the first dish we had in Agico, the very first time I questioned what the ground meat texture was. Hahaha. Seryoso, mga bes. Kakaiba pero ang saya!

Sesame Buchi
P 90.00

I'm not really a fan of this dessert but I still ate my share. Love that it's not too sweet!

I had that drink at the back of the green one, the Lemon Grass worth P 120.00. It's a very refreshing drink. You can easily taste the lemon grass but there's a hint of ginger and other tastes.

Agico's Branches and Contact Numbers

Order na or go to their restaurants to kick start your healthier eating habits. :)

Whoever said that vegetarian food is boring (guilty but I'm now guilt-free parang mga food nila sa Agico. hehe) clearly hasn't gone to Agico Vegetarian Cafe yet... hahahaha. Nakapunta na ko e so pwede ko na sabihin 'yan. With over 80 items on their menu (Appetizer, Entree, Ramen, Burgers, Rice Bowls, Salad, Pasta, Pizza, Pie, Desserts, Raw Juices, Ice Blended Drinks, Smoothies), there's a lot more to try. I'll definitely bring my Mom here so she can try and taste the vegetarian version of her favorite Shoyu Ramen. <3

Thank you, Agico for the very healthy and mouthwatering meals! :D

And of course, Aldous for organzing this event.

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My first flyout for 2017 was in the "City of Friendship," Bohol.

Bohol trip is very timely 'cause last February 8, 2017, Bohol has launched its new tourism motto which is Behold... Bohol. I want to congratulate the Province of Bohol not only for their new motto but also being able to declare that area has fully recovered from the earthquake they experienced last 2013.

This shall include our itinerary for our Bohol Trip which is just a Countryside tour (first day) and a two days, one night stay at the 2016's World Luxury Award Hotel winner which is the Henann Resort Alona Beach. Tamad lang kasi talaga mga kasama ko kaya mas okay na lang na sa resort nag-stay, charot!

3rd time's the charm for both Cebu and Bohol. haha.

Cebu - 2009, 2015, 2017

Bohol - 2010, (January) 2017, (February) 2017

Yep, mga besh. As of this writing, two times na. Sa sobrang kaladkarin ko, nag-Bohol na 'ko nung January bumalik pa ko nitong February pero keribells, I survived! <3 The life I chose. hahaha. Don't give up on me, universe.