Casa Armas (Malate)

The Davao-based Casa Armas used to be one of the most sought-after Spanish restaurants in the Malate area, especially in the late nineties.  I was there a couple of months ago, but it did seem like the place needed a make-over.  The interiors are unchanged, and the dim lighting made me feel sleepy and unexcited about the event we attended.  The food isn't bad (the waiters still slice cochinillo in the traditional manner--with a plate), but to my mind, the restaurant will get its stars back after a renovation is executed.  I calculated that our host spent something like P900 per person at the least, and with that kinda spend, some amount of ambiance isn't too much to ask for.

Justice League

I watched it on IMAX, but I left the theater a little bit wanting.  With all the hype, I wanted it to be more.  A more dramatic ending perhaps?  Maybe not just one big bad guy, a few more skilled arch-enemies to test each member's mettle?  Not to say that the movie was less, it's just that I wanted more.  You get it?

Still, Gal Gadot is undeniably the most gorgeous thing to happen to the DC cinematic universe.  Now you agree with me... ;-)

Cate Blanchett

* photo from starmometer.com.com

In Thor: Ragnarok, Cate Blanchett plays the role of Hela, Queen of the Underworld, with enough sassiness to make the toughest deadpan critics shriek with delight.

"Kneel... Before your Queen..." sounds so lovely coming from her lips, while "Darling... You have no idea what's possible..." is the sexiest movie punchline in a long, long while!

We first heard about her when she played Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings movies, but it was when she played the arch-nemesis of Indiana Jones, did we see her acting spunk.  Truly a joy to watch!

Googel

The Googel Grill at the Mandala Park/Liberty Center along Shaw Boulevard is a good bar and resto to unwind for say after-office drinks and pulutan.  Food has variety and prices are very reasonable (average of P500 with drinks per head).  My high school friends make it a point to meet there on occasion and we stay until almost midnight just to hang out and listen to the band.  The place has no frills, but if you want a little comfort, they have an air-conditioned section.  Last time around, we had stuffed bangus, lengua, tofu sisig and crispy pata!  The bonus is that parking is plentiful, even on weekends.

MXT

I met with some of my colleagues in real estate at the SM City Sta. Mesa, and we chose to have a quick dinner at MXT, a small teahouse on one of the upper floors.  I was fascinate to learn that this was the fastfood version of Maxim's Teahouse, which we used to frequent in the Greenhills area in the late eighties (if I recall they also had a branch along UN Avenue at the corner of M. H. Del Pilar St.).

The menu brings back a lot of memories.  I ordered some stewed beef, siomai and chicken feet; they used to serve this on stainless steel canisters back when they had a dimsum cart roving around the restaurant.  Not bad for around P300 per person.

Trader Joe's Coffee Squares

It's actually a mini chocolate bar but because of the intense coffee flavor, Trader Joe's managed to label it a Coffee Square.  Had some right after that spicy lobster ball curry soup, and it was perfect to cool my scorching palate.

Flaming Dough

Gali Bols

Suki-Gyouza

The Breadery

Honey Butter Almonds

La Lola

Ten Ren's Tea

Mak Chang