On Purple Wings

Lugang Cafe – A Taiwanese Treat

Lugang Cafe – A Taiwanese Treat…

“Count not the candles…see the lights they give. Count not the years, but the life you live. Wishing you a wonderful time ahead. Happy birthday ate Queng!”

In this iconic structure at BGC – SM Aura’s. On it’s fifth floor, You’ll find a long avenue of collective restaurants that give you options as to where to dine with loved ones and friends.

Through the years, if chance permits, we were able to try Mexican food from Andale, Authentic dim-sum treats from Tuantuan Chinese Brasserie. Some scoops of ice cream from Bono Gelato, ube churros and frozen yogurt from Pink Berries.

Last week, on a long weekend and to celebrate my sister-in-laws birthday, We all agreed to visit Padre Calungsod chapel at SM Aura.

And dined at this authentic Taiwanese restaurant: Lugang Cafe, named by Asia Tatler as one of the best restaurants in the Philippines for years.

We had Xia long bao for a starter.

A special dumpling intricately prepared and served warm. You can actually watch how it’s done. It is so delicious we had to order for it twice. =)

For appetizer, we had Tofu with century eggs topped with pork floss and Garlic pork roll.

For the main course, we shared Three cup chicken.

Spare ribs with plum sauce. My son’s favorite. I realized spare ribs goes well with orange sauce, apple sauce and this time we were able to try it with plum sauce.

The special Birthday noodles for the celebrant which is a tradition for a long life is a must-have.

The Golden fried rice is one of their best sellers and I truly must agree. My personal favorite is the Soy sauce braised pork knuckles. as it is so tender and very tasteful.

Over all experience is good, the attendants are bubbly and very attentive, the food were served ahead of declared waiting time. It’s just that their house tea isn’t complimentary. Or maybe I just got used to Chinese restaurants serving complimentary house tea while you’re still figuring out what to order, China bowl during the late 1990s even offers free shrimp chips.

Anyway, before we get to decide if we want tea or not our food already arrived. It was a very good dining experience especially with your family. “Xièxie nĭ/nĭn!”

Joey Pepperoni Pizza

Joey Pepperoni Pizza

“Count the memories, not the calories.”

So while at the Mall of Asia, Jen and I decided to check Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria. It is the nearest from where we came, and we’re both famished and craving for pizza. Seeing them just in front of us is very timely.

The place is not that big, it was rush hour at that time but the barker outside was able to grab us a table for two right away. Impressive.

Immediately we ordered for pizza, and I got the mozzarella sticks and Jen got pasta in white sauce with grilled chicken toppings which they call Grilled chicken Alfredo.

We chose Joey’s Supreme, it is fully loaded with ham, pepperoni, bacon bits, mushroom, beef toppings, onions, bell pepper, and black olives.

Their menu list is complete, they offer salads and soups too. You can also create your own pizza. They offer rice meals as well which looked equally delicious. They have desserts too, something I found unique was the Banana Nutella pizza. Though we didn’t try it.

Their list is very affordable. When you look at how they do their offerings, they look expensive but they’re not. So if you’re looking for a commendable place to eat at Mall of Asia, this is one great choice.

Other locations are:
– Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City
– Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City
– SM City, North Edsa
– Araneta Ave., Sta. Mesa
– Tuazon Ave., Cubao, QC
– Robinson’s Place, Ermita, Manila
to mention a few.

Said pizzeria is owned by the man behind the famous “Go Negosyo” – Joey Concepcion. I think he was able to personify in this place all of his advocates. =)

So while at Mall of Asia, Jen and I decided to check Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria. It is the nearest from where we came, and we’re both famished and craving for pizza. Seeing them just in front of us is very timely.

The place is not that big, it was rush hour at that time but the barker outside was able to grab us a table for two right away. Impressive.

Immediately we ordered for pizza, and I got the mozzarella sticks and Jen got pasta in white sauce with grilled chicken toppings which they call Grilled chicken Alfredo.

We chose JOEY’S SUPREME, it is fully loaded with ham, pepperoni, bacon bits, mushroom, beef toppings, onions, bell pepper, and black olives.

The menu list is complete, they offer salads and soups too. You can also create your own pizza. They offer rice meals as well which looked equaly delicious. They have desserts too, something I found unique was the Banana Nutella pizza. Though we didn’t try it. Theirs is very affordable. When you look at how they do their offerings, they look expensive but they’re not. So if you’re looking for a commendable place to eat at Mall of Asia, this is one great choice.

Said pizzeria is owned by the man behind the famous “Go Negosyo” – Joey Concepcion. I think he was able to personify in this place all of his advocates. =)

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018

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Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen

“Eat the spaghetti to forgetti your regretti.”

Coming from having a burger style pizza a week ago, Jen and I craved for the usual style of pizza that we know about. Either that New York style or an authentic Italian one. We chose the latter.

And we ended up asking the Grab driver to bring us to Evia where Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen is located. The original one is in Aguirre Street, in BF Paranaque which we saw twice, passed by it after we visited some restaurants from this popular street, it is actually included in our Bucket list and in one of my category “When in Aguirre street”.

Typically, when we are handed the menu, we browsed on it and asked the attendant their best sellers. For the pizza, they suggested the “All meat” and “Mama Lou’s special”. We opted for the former.

We also had the mozzarella sticks called in advance although they served us some complimentary breads with olive oil and balsamic dip while waiting for our orders. We also ordered for their seafood home-made pasta.

Ideally they have it all, when it comes to Italian dishes: Antipasti, Zuppe, Insalate, Pasta (oil or tomato base), Pizza, Risotto, Pollo, Carne, Sea food and Desserts.

I should agree that if you’re craving for Italian food, you won’t regret trying theirs.

I am thinking of coming up with my top 10 mozzarella sticks and I think I’m including Mama Lou’s version.

The pasta tasted delicious, there are shrimps, squid rings that were cooked just right. They surrounded the whole serving with mussels and clams and Jen took charge of them. ehehe!

The pizza includes pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage and bacon, there are no ground beef though. Don’t miss the arugulas. =)

The dining hall is quite large, there are enough tables for big and small groups, they occupy 2 floors in Evia actually and I saw it during peak hours that both floors are jam-packed.

There are touches of vintage stuff probably to coincide with the theme, they used bricks on their wall, some beautiful plates were mounted on one wall, neatly arranged wine bottles in the bar which if emptied they utilized as water bottles too. =)

You might ask that smiling woman is Mama Lou. Yes it is her. =)

There are equally amusing restaurants in the area, though Mama Lou’s stand-out in her own special way.

Jen liked Evia as much as I do so I’m expecting she’s eyeing another visit of these days. I might bring her to Another Story too. =)

August 3, 2018August 3, 2018

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Thank God TGIF is a few minutes away from me!

Thank God TGIF is a few minutes away from me!

tgif 1 — Photo grabbed from: http://pluspng.com/png-70142.html

Like a watchdog, I carefully monitored the progress of this Lifestyle center – Southwoods City in Carmona, Cavite.

It is only 15 minutes away from my place. It is developed by Megaworld, and if it’s Megaworld, you should expect it to be grand.

Captured this while walking at Southwoods City. =) Pretty right?

When it opened, some shops are still closed, and still under-construction, but the fact that TGIF is one of those to open, I got so excited, because the nearest one is still in Alabang, which is roughly less than an hour away from me. I was looking forward for a Bread shop too, just that. And TGIF.

We immediately visited after its’ soft opening and just the same, we had a fun like it’s Friday! =)

We had these:

While waiting for our orders, we were served by their usual complimentary nachos with salsa.

I also wanted to try the chipotle. Maybe next time.

There are more than 20 branches nationwide, if you want to see more details, you can check them out from their website: http://www.fridays.com.ph/

Happy Friday! =)

At Southwoods City, like what a township should be, it is designed to make all your needs, just within your reach. Literally live, work, play and learn there. =)

July 8, 2018August 3, 2018

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And here’s ANOTHER STORY

And here’s ANOTHER STORY

“Friendship is the comfort of knowing that even if you feel alone, you aren’t.”

I am not much of a mall rat. But one mall near our place that I can’t resist is Evia Lifestyle Center.

I’ve been there for only several times, and my most recent visit, I noticed a lot has changed already.

There’s an on-going renovation, a pizza parlor is no longer where I last saw it, I’m lost and figuring-out where is the old parking lot and the Mediterranean structure you’ll see from afar. It is now converted into a high-ceiling dome in glass. And they say, we should expect more changes to come.

But we went there just to try “Another Story”. I have been fascinated by it for a long time, it’s being dreamy and whimsical. Just like Cafe Voila (which owner happens to be also the brain behind Another Story), 4th street cafe, Dreamland Arts & crafts Cafe, Cafe Juanita, Vanilla Cupcake, Secret Haven Cafe, among many others. And I’m glad that my two high school friends willingly granted my wish. =)

Character-filled Interiors like this makes me feel like I’m not just in Another story but in another time too.

Like I’m a character in a Fairy tale story, embodied the spirit of someone significant in a story line.

I admire how intricately they put attention to all the details and be unique thus standing – out from the rest.

You will see and feel the owner’s passion even from the way she describes each offering from the menu like sharing her experiences as if we’re her friends or family, or as you choose your order, it felt like you’re reading a story.

And it is not just the ambience, or the interiors, you’ll enjoy their offering too.

We only tried 2 kinds: a green salad: “Another Story salad”, we chose it instantly because it has prawns on it. And as recommended by one of their very affable attendants, we had one of their best-selling pizza. And we truly enjoyed it and all agreed that these people are taking their jobs seriously. We even agreed to go back on a weekday to enjoy the “Eat all you can pizza”, their paella and the other flavors of their cake as we definitely liked the Tiramisu cheesecake that they served as a treat for my birthday. Surely, I’m planning to
try their All-day breakfast and maybe some pasta too. =)