Papa John's

Exactly two weeks ago, hubby and I had our first date night this year. I read from MommyTopaz' blog how it helps the husband-wife relationship keep intact despite of a non-free from distraction environment. I couldn't agree more! There are gadgets, internet, cable channels, social media sites - everything that could take away even our few minutes from talking with our spouses. It is that crazy so we couples really need to find a way to squeeze in from busy schedules.

Choosing a perfect spot is also a challenge so I try to plan ahead to also make sure we both enjoy the quick date. At this age, which I think is not too old I suppose, loud places turn me off a lot. Sorry to say but I don't understand how a 35 year old can keep up partying hard all night. Serve me a macchiato and lend me an old book in one corner and I'd probably be  the most contented woman in the whole Manila. Chos!

 

Going back to our date, we went to Papa John's Pizza. That's not Papa John below, okay? Ha ha! Just a disclaimer, a date for me doesn't necessarily mean we need to dress up and eat in fancier restos. Of course, we can be maarte at times but if only called for special occasions. Anyway, have you dined recently in Papa John's? I actually liked it there because it wasn't as crowded as I had expected and our bill was fairly reasonable.

I got tired of drinking iced tea so I chose Sprite with a twist of green apple. I rarely see sodas with cherry on top and you might think it's Vodka with ice. We settled for Potato Wedges for appetizer, Margherita Pizza and Mediterranean Seafood Linguini. That pasta was so good and unique because of the crab meat. I had fun cleaning up my plate. Hubby enjoyed it more by sprinkling a few chili flakes. The potato wedges were thick, piping hot and definitely crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside.

As for the pizza, I feel bad because it did not stand out for me. It's like I've tasted something similar before but couldn't recall when and where. But I have to commend the pizza dough, excuse my expertise but I can tell that it was fresh. We kept our take outs refrigerated and come next day, pizza were still soft and with a finer taste of Mozarella cheese. Weird but maybe the Seafood Linguine overpowered our Margherita that night, something like that. If ever you visit Papa John's for an Italian fix, Php1K budget is good enough for two, no service charge added.

PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA
3rd Level, SM Megamall A,
Mandaluyong City

Pizza Hut

Hooray for my first food entry this 2014!
How's your new year's resolutions so far? I hope we all stick with our "diet" plans (in case that is on your list) and hold on to that until the next holiday season! Should I say, a big good luck to all? Ha ha


Anyway, just two days ago, the three of us decided to have some pizza and pasta treat for a Sunday late lunch. For some reasons, I missed munching the cheese stuffed-crust pizza at Pizza Hut! Good thing they're all over the metro and you can opt for delivery if too lazy to get out of bed.


Their tall and crispy bread sticks are my little one's favorite.


Seafood Vongole
This is my new favorite dish at Pizza Hut, and my first time to try Vongole in white wine garnished with lots of garlic. I realized how hungry I was just by smelling it.


Crab salad spring roll
This one's a blockbuster. I love the combination of fresh crab meat and lettuce. It's good they added new varieties on their menu so we don't just settle for pizza and pasta alone.


Super Supreme pizza with cheese stuffed-crust
Our family's favorite pizza flavor and would usually prefer to have it in thick crust. On a sad note, our pizza was not even warm when served. Anyone would like to pull a slice with stretched, melted cheese.


Good thing the little one enjoyed this lunch date. I just really hope she can join us soon eating everything that's on our table. She will be turning three soon so I wonder if that age would make her a bit experimental on food choices. I noticed her fascination on home-cooked meals, especially her granny's chicken adobo.

Foodspotting: Don Henrico's

Follow @onegutsymom

 

After two hours of strolling in the mall one Saturday, we decided to take our late lunch slash merienda at Don Henrico's in Glorietta 1. It was past 2pm but all the other restaurants we've passed by were still full at that hour. I was advised that we were the third on the waiting list so I was kind of worried that it may take more than thirty minutes to get a vacant table. So while waiting, I took wacky photos of my Mom and daughter. Look how my cute little one posed like a K-pop wannabe! I also liked this 18th century-inspired ship wheel wall decor, for a while I've thought of Gulliver's Travels.

My eyes had a feast observing every details of the interior like this brick wall message board on my far left and how they used different shapes, colours and designs for tables and chairs. I feel and see "balance" more when some things are not uniform.

I was challenged to explore more as soon as I held the menu. It was awarded Gold Brand in 2012 so there must be something great for a foodie like me!

After taking our orders, I was told that pasta and pizza will be served in 20-25 minutes. Oh, great! But since we were comfortable in our seats and my daughter started singing her ABC's again and again, I didn't mind another waiting time. I must commend that our drinks (two glasses of iced tea and 3 glasses of water) were served right away.

{ Bottomless Iced Tea Php70 }

Another commendation for having our meals served in less than 15 minutes! Here's what we got and you might think that these were plenty for two persons. Ha ha! I really intend to make extra orders as a take out for hubby.

{ Tutto de Mare Pasta Php290, to share serving }

{ Fish and Chips Php280 }

{ 10 inch California White Pizza Php280 }

The whole food experience was delectable! The linguine pasta was indeed al dente, even Mom agreed on that. And the taste was superb! I can absolutely taste the herbs plus I did not need to count the shrimp and squid in it. I should know since most of the time I prefer ordering seafood pasta. It truly felt like their chef did a home-cooked pasta just for us. Our fish and chips were perfect too, they were grease-less. The fish inside was that soft,  like it melted already even before chewing it. I wasn't sure if there's anything special on our pizza or I was just preoccupied with my Tutu de Mare. We made the right choice to dine here and there must be a next visit with family and friends.

Don Henrico's

Glorietta 1

2/F Glorietta 1, South Dr

Ayala Center, Makati

(02) 511-1542

I ♥ Eastwood and Fazoli's

Yes, I do and I feel sorry that I kept myself away from this lovely place for some reasons. But moving forward, I'm happy to see how innovated Eastwood has become now that the number of dining places have increased, boutiques, bars and even offices which will give us no reason to hop to another place. Cab and parking lots were never a problem here and to top it all, it is never crowded.

Mind you, I'm always and will always be fascinated with their dancing fountain. Why is that?

So when DM's asked me where I'd like to meet up after work, of course I willingly answered, Eastwood! So here's where my second birthday treat was spent. We had dinner at Fazoli's and enjoyed their sumptuous pasta and pizza meals.

I ordered Fettucine Al Pesto and his was Fettucine Alfredo which also includes pepperoni and cheese pizza.

If there's any common denominator for tonight, that would be the spicy Caramba.

He even put some on his garlic bread.

We ended the night with some few drinks at G8. I was feeling confident that night, thinking I could finish three bottles of Gilbey's Premium Strength but I even had a hard time with my second and last bottle. He he!

BTW, this band below played well. They remind me of The Beatles, but the Pinoy and younger version. Good music! It was taken behind because we were off to Dairy Queen for my chocolate truffles, he he!

Thank you again for this treat. Love the conversation. Happy night.

Va' Pensiero Birthday Treat

Friday traffic jam would want you to rather stay in a mall than go home straight and face the bumper to bumper ride. This sad fact led me to meet DM's as my excuse for asking my pre-birthday dinner treats. Yup, TREATS! Anyway, I was really really craving for a good pasta and pizza yesterday but I don't feel like eating alone especially that bingeing with a good food is my target. Thank God that even if Gateway Mall has very limited options, DM's and I discovered this new dining place serving Italian cuisine named Va' Pensiero.

  

This restaurant was formerly named Volare.

Behind us is a wall neatly decorated with photos of all the gourmet pasta and pizza they serve.

Trattoria art in front of us and musical notes. Pavarotti fan?

I saw this gorgeous bottle with lemon and some spices inside..

Do I seem so anxious waiting for our food served?

Here comes our foodie!

Red pasta looks sumptuous for me tonight so I ordered Vongole.

My first time to taste an unusual form of pizza. From the name itself, Tortellone.
Folded, croissant inspired. Filled with ham and mozzarella cheese plus pesto and Parmesan on top.

Bon appetit!

Va' Pensiero

Gateway Mall, Araneta Centre