Dinner at Isdaan, Calauan, Laguna

After we attended the Pailah Festival in Pila, Laguna last March 22, we had dinner at Isdaan in Calauan, Laguna. I guess the owner of this restaurant is the same one who owns the Isdaan in Gerona, Tarlac.

Which comes first? Isdaan Calauan or Isdaan Gerona?

The place is cozy and really gives the atmosphere of a dining place – especially for those who are really hungry. Our group was composed of 13 photographers and we had Pancit Bukid, Kare-Kare, and Sinampalukang Manok. It only cost us P200 each and we were full. Not to mention that we’re all guys and came from a tiring day covering the Pailah Festival. The foods are delicious!

Aside from the delicious food, Isdaan is also a small theme park. It has a Balinese (or Javanese?) design to the place with all these statues of mermaids. It also has statues of popular characters from Disney and the Angry Birds for kids to enjoy. It also has facilities for a boat ride (similar to Manila Zoo).

One of the features of Isdaan is the Tacsiyapo wall wherein you could buy plates that you could smash to the wall to release your anger towards a person or situation. I first heard about this on Rated K a few years ago and it amazes me that there are a lot of broken plates already. I guess this anger management idea is a hit.

If you would pass by the National Road in Calauan, Laguna, on the way to Pila or Sta. Cruz, you might want to drop by at Isdaan. It’s a restaurant worth visiting.

I wasn’t expecting a mime artist here.

I adore this lamp!

Javanese? Balinese?

These birds are so famous.

Birds from Rio?

Smash all the plates you can at Tacsiyapo!

How many branches of Isdaan are here in the country? So far I’ve only seen the one in Gerona, Tarlac and this one at Calauan, Laguna.

Isdaan – a cozy restaurant for dinner with friends.

Wow! Cory and Erap under one roof.

Technorati Tags: Isdaan,Calauan,Laguna,Gerona,Tarlac

The Main Branch of Alex Lugawan

When I first visited Alex Lugawan, I thought they only have 1 store. A recent visitor to the blog, Ramil Delos Reyes, told me that there is another Alex Lugawan along M.H. del Pilar Street just a few steps from Pasig Cathedral. It was actually the main branch of Alex Lugawan.

I visited it a few days ago and I got the surprised of my life – I’ve been overlooking it for the past 7 years or so! You see, M.H. del Pilar Street is where jeepneys that have the signage Pasig-Quiapo pass along. I’ve been riding the Pasig-Quiapo jeep for the past 7 years and I never noticed Alex Lugawan.

First, their signage is not that big and noticeable especially at night (when I usually go to work). They really have to improve on that. Second, the facade of the place is like an ordinary eatery or carinderia. There is nothing “catchy” or noticeable about the place. So unless you’re a resident of downtown Pasig City and been a happy customer of Alex Lugawan, then you really won’t notice the place.

So here are more pictures of the Main Branch of Alex Lugawan. If you’re around the area and haven’t been here, you’re missing a lot.

Technorati Tags: Alex Lugawan and Sizzling,Lugaw,Pansit Palabok

Restaurants at Bonifacio High Street

When it comes to fine dining, Bonifacio High Street is a fine choice of venue. It has Balducci Ristorante, Brazil!, Cacao, Duo, Gaudi, Mary Grace’s, Mogu, Murray D’Vine, Sentro 1771, Steltz, Wee Nam Kee, among others.

I haven’t dined in any of these restaurants. It’s just nice to take some pictures of their restaurant’s facade. I hope the foods are great. I’ll probably invite Glenn to one of these restaurants soon to celebrate our 1st monthsary. I hope all goes well.

 

BuzzNet Tags: Bonifacio High Street,Restaurants

Sizzling Plate Baguio

When in Baguio, I crave for steaks. When it comes to steaks, there’s only one place for me in Baguio City – Sizzling Plate. They offer the most affordable and delicious steak in this part of the Philippines.

The last time I had lunch at this restaurant was during the recently concluded Panagbenga Festival (February 25, 2012). Their steak only cost me P193.00. They have the biggest serving of 1 cup of rice I’ve ever seen. Also, they offer both potatoes and beans as side dish to their delicious steak. My favorite is Salisbury steak.

Sizzling Plate Baguio is located at 116 Lower Session Road near Volante Pizza.

 

BuzzNet Tags: Sizzling Plate Baguio,Best Steak in Town,Salisbury Steak

Volante Pizza, Baguio City

When in Baguio City, I don’t miss dining out in two restaurants along Session Road – Sizzling Plate and Volante Pizza. When it comes to pizza and pasta, Volante Pizza is the first thing in mind.

I had my dinner last February 25, 2012 at this famous restaurant. I ordered the Spaghetti with Meatballs, a 6” pizza and an iced tea and it only cost me P249.90. The place is cozy and the location is very accessible (lower Session Road).

The spaghetti and pizza are great! The ingredients are fresh! You can taste the freshness of the tomatoes and the crust of the pizza. That’s why I always eat at Volante whenever I’m in Baguio.

     

BuzzNet Tags: Pizza Volante,Baguio City,Pasta,Spaghetti

Annabel’s Restaurant for Biogesic Launch

I love the venue of the Thanksgiving Lunch given by John Lloyd Cruz to celebrate the success of “Unofficially Yours” and his renewal of contract with Biogesic.

The event was held at Annabel’s Restaurant at the corner of Scout Delgado and Tomas Morato Street in Quezon City. We were treated to a lavish lunch and we thank Biogesic for that.

Check out the food photography section of yesterday’s event.

Cheese and Jalapeno Roll

 

Mixed Vegetables (they should have Chopseuy instead)

 

Oriental Egg Noodle

Fish Fritters with Basil Dip

 

Stir Fry Pork with Cashew Nuts 

 

Chicken Marengo 

 

Pudding

BuzzNet Tags: Annabel's Restaurant,Biogesic,John Lloyd Cruz

Dads, Kamayan, Saisaki (SM Megamall)

Earlier today, we had lunch at Dads, Kamayan, Saisaki in SM Megamall. It’s my treat to my 3 closest call center friends in our account – 2 guys and 1 girl.

Since we have a very pleasant experience at Kamay Kainan in Market! Market!, we opted for Kamayan. Our big guy friend option for the Crossover: he can select any food from Dads, Kamayan and Saisaki.

Compared to Kamay Kainan, the Kamayan at SM Megamall was way expensive and the food choices are fewer. In Kamay Kainan, the fee is P289.16 per head plus P49.06 (Bottomless Iced Tea) for a total of P338.22/head.

Whereas in SM Megamall, it’s P385 (Friday-Sunday) per head plus P95.75 (bottomless Iced Tea) for a total of P484.75/head. Thank God, our big guy friend has a huge appetite and we feel that his meal is worth the P665 for the Crossover (between Friday-Sunday). Bottom-line, if you want to eat at Kamayan, better eat at their Market! Market! Branch. It’s definitely worth the price at Kamay Kainan instead.

They don’t even have ice cream at Kamayan SM Megamall. I thought that their branches are supposed to be calibrated (just like a fast-food chain). They don’t have a list of menu available similar to Kamay Kainan but there’s definitely fewer choices at Kamayan SM Megamall.

They even included a charge of P96 for a Coke which we never had. So you definitely have to be very careful in paying. Make sure that your itineraries are correct. The place allotted for Kamayan is also way to small compared to Kamay Kainan. We’re definitely not going back at Dads, Saisaki, Kamayan SM Megamall the next time we feel the urge to have an all-you-can-eat experience.

Nevertheless, we still manage to make our dining experience pleasurable by taking food photography practice. Check out the pictures!

      

BuzzNet Tags: Dads,Kamayan,Saisaki SM Megamall,Kamay Kainan