Ristras Mexican grill

In my opinion, there are only few Mexican restaurants in Metro Manila and non of them were really authentic. I'm not saying that Ristras is not good, but it's just not authentic...   Ristras is a small  Mexican cantina in San Juan that serves good tex-mex cuisine.

From wikipedia, ristras are arrangements of drying chile pepper pods. Although their main purpose is to preserve chiles for later consumption, they are commonly used decoratively in chile-producing areas, especially New Mexico.

I've been here several times and tasted almost everything in their menu but for some reason can't find other pictures I  took, anyway here are some...

Burrito.P290. - is their specialty

The server will make it as you wish 1.)choose the type of wrap (flour or whole whear tortilla) 2.)Choose the main ingredients (carnitas, chicken, steak, barbacoa, or even vegetarian in the form of beans) 3.) choose type of burrito they want (Fajita Burrito, Burrito Bowl,normal burrito) 4.) Add the fixings (guacamole, bell peppers and onions and jalapeno)  ...then voila!

Enchilada - contains freshly made mozzarella, and is served with a side of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream

Quesadilla.P290

You may find the price a little steep but their servings is huge(good for 2)... their chimichanga is good.

That's All!

Ristras Mexican Grill

J. Abad Santos cor. Lopez Jaena St.,
San Juan, Metro Manila. Philippines
(Near Alex III in Wilson St)
(63 2) 744-9817

Pat Pat's Kansi

For those of you who don’t know, Kansi is one heck of a cholesterol-filled goodness; it is the infamous Iloilo version of "Bulalo" or bone marrow soup with a pinch of sourness from a fruit called batuan/batwan.

In Makati,  there’s a  specialty resto for kansi called Pat pat’s kansi.

Nothing fancy, no air conditioning. The service is just ok but quick...

Price is reasonable for what you get.

Here's their menu:

Here's a picture of our kansi/bulalo.P125. The soup base is unlimited...

If you're not a bone marrow (cholesterol) fan , you can opt to order  their kansi/laman which is much cheaper.P105.

Cooked as it should be... compared to the other broth I've tasted  their kansi was not that sour.

Grilled Pork belly. P70. Small servings e?  taste was just ok.

Verdict: I will surely be back for their warm and comforting kansi ...

That's All!

Pat pat's Kansi 

8809 Sampaloc St corner Kamagong St.
San Antonio Village. Makati City. Philippines
landmark: at the back of Metro bank (kamagong)
Tel num: (632) 8906179
Store Hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point, San fernando La Union

We're in Santorini Greece... NOT!

During our vacation in my mother's hometown, we visited  Thunderbird resort which is few minutes away from San Fernando La Union city proper.

Thunderbird is a Santorini inspired hotel which is nestled on a scenic cliff...

Overlooking the white to beige colored sand beach

We took our almost 100 year old grandma there to have a taste of fresh air

We loved the sunset too

What to do: Swim, Golf, Casino, Eat at their Mediterranean inspired  restaurant called Olive

Over all the resort offers a breathtaking view.

That's All

Thunderbird Resorts -Poro Point
Poro Point Freeport Zone
San Fernando City, La Union
Philippines
(+6372) 888.7777

Calle Crisologo and Vigan Empanada - Vigan, Ilocos Sur

A trip to Vigan will not be complete without visiting the most photographed street: Calle Crisologo - fairly preserved "Spanish-era" buildings and houses (some houses where converted into antique shops) can be found here. 

The street is closed to modern traffic; only kalesa (Horse carriages) is allowed to enter in the quaint street which added some historic touch. 

Adjacent to Calle Crisologo is another closed st. Calle Florentino,  where the Statue of  P's "ninuno" or ancestor is situated - Leona Florentino, is the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition".   Beside the statue is Cafe Leona, which offer good eats as well (we dined during our visit last 2008)...

Nobody should  leave Vigan without tasting their empanada in "The Vigan Empandaan" situated in Plaza Burgos

Here you can see how empanada is done, from mixing to cooking...

Empanada at its best! Crunchy and yummy with a filling that consists of eggs, Vigan longganisa and vegetables wrapped in a rice flour crust dipped in sukang Iloko /ilocos vinegar. P25-P35 /serving.

...Close by is Mom's bakery which sells a bread with filling called bolero(too bad I didn't take photos) which is very very good. If you plan on going there just ask the locals (kalesa/tryke drivers) for directions :D

That's all!

Manny Pacquiao VS Mayweather - match is off

Just want to share some pictures which I got from facebook photos....

Is Mayweather scared? what do you think?

That's All!

Hidden Garden -Vigan, I locos Sur

 Before heading to Baluarte zoo, we stopped by Hidden garden for lunch and enjoyed the warm breeze of fresh air that whispered through trees.

Hidden garden offers family-style dining in a relaxing and comfortable setting.  It has a nicely landscaped garden with a native ambiance. Wide variety of tropical plants, flowers and trees plus red clay pots and antique finds can be seen here which are also for sale...

It offers delicious Filipino and Iloconano / Ilocandia dishes such as pinakbet, dinengdeng, vigan longganisa and bagnet. Maybe I was too hungry and forgot to take photos of other dishes but luckily took two of the most famous Vigan dishes.

Vigan Longganisa

-is a pinoy version of chorizo, unlike other longganisa, it is less sweet and is garlicky, it is best paired with sukang Iloko (Ilocos Vinegar)

Pork Bagnet

-is the Ilocano version of lechon kawali/ deep fried pork

Over all, Hidden Garden is a must try "eat" place in Vigan, affordable price,  good food, nice service and lovely ambiance... but you have to pay P10.00/head to use their comfort room.

That's All!

Hidden Garden / Lilong & Lilang Coffee Shop

Brgy. Bulala Centro, Vigan City, Philippines
(63)(77) 722-1450

Baluarte Zoo -Vigan, Ilocos Sur

I've finally got to see a real camel without traveling too far...

Yes, there's a camel  living in  our tropical country and it can be found  in Vigan's Baluarte...

I captured this photo after feeding it with a grass.

Deers loitering around the sanctuary

Lurk, I'm up-close with the tiger, ROAR!

"Baluarte is 80 hectares of gently rolling terrains, hills and mountain sides, the structures of facilities and amenities, its phases of construction is in its best possible realistic and natural habitat for good and sound animal care.

Located along the western seaboard of Northern Luzon 408 kilometers north of Manila, bounded in the South by South China Sea, Baluarte has its breathtaking view of Vigan City. Baluarte is open to the public and admission is FREE. It is actually Governor Chavit's gift to the people of Vigan where residents are accorded free use of spaces for their livelihood programs." - from: http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte/general-info.html

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Baluarte Zoo

10 minute drive from Vigan City.
Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
http://www.chavitsingson.net/baluarte 

How to go to Baluarte

By Land - 9 hour overland trip via Philippine Rabbit Bus line, Dominion Bus Corporation, Partas Transportation Company.

By Air - Fly to Ilocandia instead. Laoag International Airport has three[3] times a week 70 min. flight via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Public transport is 80 km. trip to Vigan and 10 minute drive to Baluarte. We recommend the comfortable air-conditioned Partas buses with only three seats across and have better reclining positions.

Welcoming 2010

Some pictures from New Years eve 2009.

Getting ready

Boom

Blast

Playing with lights

 

Damages

After-Partayyyy!!! @ Members only, the Fort

Happy New Year everyone! 

May we all have an awesome 2010...

... keep on shining!

That's All!