Anderson Valley IPA

This is powerful stuff.  Just took a swig from the bottle that Monique was drinking, Anderson Valley Indian Pale Ale.  Both she and Luisa like their craft beers strong.  You can find this at Spice and Cleavers at the basement level of the Estancia Mall.

Xena: Warrior Princess

* pic from dailymail.co.uk

Twenty years ago, it was the adventures of Xena: the Warrior Princess, that made our night time television interesting.  The sexy Lucy Lawless had a hundred and one facial expressions that made Xena such a lovable character.  Her character's signature yodel war cry on the show was pleasantly unique (although some friends of mine found it quite irritating) and, like an alarm clock, made me turn my head to start watching the TV intently.  Beautiful women. Acrobatic stunts.  Out of this world costumes. Love twists.  Lesbian love angles even.  Sword fights.  Lots of comic relief.  What more could you ask for?  While the story is set in ancient Greece, you can see the adaptations they made to keep it on its edge.  Check out the samurai sword below!

* pic from thecomicbookcast.com

Jay-J's

Chris, my Filipino-German nephew from Hanau, brought his Russian girlfriend Marina to the Philippines to swim with the dolphins in Oslob.  They had dinner in the main house, and Gwammy requested me for some laing to impress them.  Jay-J's to the rescue!  Got four orders at P185 each, all gone in 60 seconds!

Because the restaurant is very near to City Hall, it has been a favorite of mine when we entertain guests with a quick lunch.  Food is home-cooked in style and flavor, and prices are very affordable, going at around P400 per person for tummies that will burst at the seams. 

Orange Swits

The original candy was named Orange Kisses, but I don't see that anymore.  It was shaped like an orange slice and has a gummy bear consistency.  Orange Swits is the local version, I guess.  You probably won't find this in the supermarkets, but if you commute, any side stall near jeepney sakayans will most probably have them.

Cheddar Burst

Monique and I passed the Cheddar Burst sign along Rolex St. and she instantly noticed that their burgers were billed as Juicy Lucys.  Patties are laden with cheese.  As you can see from the pictures below, the cheese variants are oozing!

Simple interiors; the place is pretty much the dating place for students studying at nearby FEU Hospital.  Burgers are priced below P200, reasonable enough.

Casa Italia

A little distance from Wrong Ramen you can find Casa Italia.  Monique and I decided to have handmade gelato.   I wanted more scoops but I had to stop myself from over eating, we were, after all, just finishing up our merienda.  I realized the place also served pizzas and short orders.  When these are paired with coffee and ice cream, you can spend virtually the whole afternoon chatting there with your family and friends.  The ambiance is clean, open, and very cozy and casual.  I like it very much!  Average spend for a fast take out, maybe P200 but I probably could spend up to P800 on my whims and capriccios if I stayed there for 3 hours...

Wrong Ramen

Merienda time, Fort Bonifacio Burgos Circle.  Just Monique and I.  We chose to share a seafood ramen at Wrong Ramen.  Yes, you heard it right, it is the Wrong Ramen!  Broth was rich and flavorful, filled with shrimps, squid and clams.  The playfully call it Sea Men Ramen... oh the pun!  Topped with garlic and onion tips.  Perfect for rainy afternoons; spend is just under P300.