Casa Vallejo and HillStation Bar and Restaurant

            For the past four years it has been our tradition to go to Baguio City. When we discovered Casa Vallejo that was it for us and we’ve been staying there every visit. The standard room costs 2,700 Pesos. It’s a basic room with a double bed, a writing table, a ceiling fan and a hot and cold shower.

            We love the Hillstation Bar and Restaurant. They offer gourmet food and good wine.

HillStation 

HillStation

HillStation

Gambas with Rice

Grilled Salmon with Mashed Potato and Vegetables

Hotel Celeste Part 2

            I am posting a new set of pictures of Hotel Celeste for the month of December. We stayed here for the second time. We were given a room on the 3^rd floor. The interiors were a bit dull for my taste. We liked the interior of the room at the 2^nd floor where we stayed last November.

            We had a problem with the leaking air-condition in the room. We had to call the maintenance department twice.

            The following day, we ordered breakfast bacon, eggs, bagel and cream cheese and fresh orange and mango juice. It was quite steep for 750 Pesos.

            Our stay at Hotel was awesome for the second time around.

Dinner Buffet at Midas Cafe

            My partner bought dinner vouchers at Metrodeal for Midas Café at P849 each. The food was quite extensive ranging from Pasta, Cold Cuts, Makis, Grilled Seafood, Indian Food, Korean Food, Chinese and American Food. 

Bread Section

            They have a table for different kinds of bread and on the side a pot of Sopa de Ajo. The roast beef readily caught my eye. I haven’t had a good roast beef in a long time and it looked juicy. 

Roast Beef Section

            We went around the Grill Bar, the Salad Bar and the Sushi Bar. I decided to try the different kinds of bread, the Chinese Pao and the Sopa de Ajo. It was delicious and I had a second serving. 

Grill Bar

            Next stop was the Roast Beef section. They would cut thin slices and I asked for 2 pieces since it was a small portion. The beef was so tender, yum! I had to go for a second serving.

Juice Bar

            I sampled the other food by getting a tiny piece of each. The Chicken Tikka was a standout. The Pork dish was ok. The Korean Beef Bulgogi was lacking in seasoning. The grilled salmon and shrimp were delectable.    

            Drinks are unlimited which includes sodas, fruit juices, iced tea, coffee and hot tea. The Dessert bar had different kinds of pastries, cookies, cakes and brulees. It was Heavenly.

Dessert Bar

            Indeed, it was a superb dining experience.

National Sports Grill

                  National Sports Grill is located on the 3^rd floor of Greenbelt 3, Makati City. I bought a voucher of P500 from CashCashPinoy with an equivalent of P1,000 worth of food and drinks at National Sports Grill. 

Home Run Sampler

            We ordered the Home Run Sampler (P695); it consists of chicken wings, taquitos, fries, onion rings, tortilla chips, with guacamole and pico de gallo served with marinara, salsa, queso and ranch. I also ordered the Chicken Caesar Sandwich on a French roll with fries (P335); for drinks we had 2 glasses of iced tea (P95).  

Marinara, Salsa, Queso and Ranch

            They give big servings it was really huge and we were not able to finish it. We were very satisfied with the food. I am now craving for it as I write this review.

Chicken Caesar Sandwich

Hotel Celeste

            I bought a voucher for Hotel Celeste at Deal Grocer for P4, 500 for an overnight stay. Hotel Celeste is located at 2 Lorenzo Drive, Corner A. Arnaiz Avenue. San Lorenzo Village, Makati. 
       The hotel room was fabulous. European style furniture and wall paper. We were given 2 welcome cocktail drinks followed by a foot massage. 

The bathroom was literally to die for. Too bad they didn’t have a bathtub. The bathroom supplies were fantastic with L’occitane bath products. What more can we ask for? 

            We dined out during the evening. Apparently, Celis Restaurant was closed. We could order in but the food on the menu was limited and a bit expensive. 

            Hotel Celeste has boasts of a DVD library and only 3 DVDs at a time could be borrowed. We watched the films until we fell asleep.

Deluxe Room

            Breakfast is not included with the deal. Anyway, we slept until 11:00 A.M. It was an enjoyable stay and we’re going back again before Christmas.

Prestige Cruises

            My younger sister gave me and my partner vouchers from ensogo.com.ph for an hour of cruise and dinner buffet along Manila Bay. We finally used our vouchers last Saturday scheduled at 4:00 P.M. but we had to be there at 3:30 P.M. for the registration. There was a long line when we arrived. We waited for almost an hour before boarding the yacht. Upon boarding, the elderly came in first, followed by mothers with children and then our names were called according to the list.

            The yacht needed some maintenance because we could see rusts in the ceiling, etc. We were seated on the second floor of the yacht with monobloc chairs and tables. They charge an extra 100 Pesos if diners would want to sit at the top of the yacht for a better view.  Drinks were not included from the voucher so we have to pay 75 Pesos for a can of soda or bottomless iced tea.    

            After 20 minutes, the buffet was opened to the public which was located at the first floor of the yacht. They served plain rice, pancit (noodles), a chicken dish and pork with tausi. We were told to bring our used plate for a second serving.

            The food was bland but we can’t complain for a 310 Pesos voucher per person. We would just want to enjoy the scenery. My partner and I went for a second serving just for the pancit and chicken dish and then they added little vegetable spring rolls I thought they were Lumpiang Shanghai. A guy in front of me was scolded by the server for getting 2 new plates. The server said to him in a firm voice and a disappointing look: “Didn’t I tell you to bring your used plate? You can’t take that second plate. I will just give you one!”

            When it was my partner’s turn to get a second serving, the chef said “Enough! I don’t want to do this anymore, you guys takeover!” It was a laughing experience. Clearly these people from Prestige Cruises hate their jobs.

             There was also an entertainment. Two women who sang contemporary songs while the other played the synthesizer. They have a sunny disposition in life I must say. I enjoyed their music.

            The cruise was just to see the sunset on Manila Bay. Forget about the dining experience.

Big D's Smokehouse

            I purchased a voucher from Cash Cash Pinoy for Big D’s Smokehouse located at 228 D. Blue Ridge A, Katipunan Extension, Quezon City. The restaurant is just outside the main road and cars could be parked just outside the restaurant. The interiors were decorated with an attached toy motorcycle on the wall; the other side of the wall is painted with Dynojet speed. They have magazines and board games that guests of the restaurants could borrow and play with while waiting for food.

Big D's Smokehouse Menu

Nacho Duo

        For the food, the voucher I    purchased was 771 Pesos it includes Stage 2  Ribs with Garlic Rice and a Side Dish of Corn and Carrots, 2 Nacho Duos, 4 baked potatoes, 2 Sizzling Pulled Pork and 2 Pitchers of  Iced Tea. The servings is good for 4 people and since we’re 7 in a group , I ordered extra Stage 2 Ribs with Garlic Rice, Fish and Chips, Nacho Duo, Fries and 1 extra Pitcher of Iced Tea. 

Pulled Pork

            We loved the nachos and the ribs. The meat was tender and juicy. The Pulled Pork for some reason tasted stale. The Fish and Chips was delicious. The Nacho Duos was to die for; we can’t get enough of it. I paid an extra 568.96 Pesos for the additional food I ordered. I got 50% discount for the Fish and Chips. Now, that’s a good bargain!     

Stage 2 Ribs with Garlic Rice and a side dish of Corn and Carrots

Crazy Katsu

       We went back to U.P. Village on a Sunday night hoping to catch the Sizzling Seafood Salpicao and Gising Gising at Tomato Kick. But the restaurant was closed so we went to hunt for a new restaurant and it led us to Crazy Katsu. It is located at No. 81 Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village, Diliman, Quezon City.

          Crazy Katsu’s ambience and menu is quite simple. Upon seating, the staff gave us a pitcher of ice cold water and drinking glasses. For starters, we ordered Miso Soup (@ 30 Pesos) and fried Gyoza (@120 Pesos). The black vinegar for the Gyoza was on the strong side. 

Brewed Iced Tea and Miso Soup

Gyoza

        For the main course, my sister ordered the Pork with Ginger (@ 140 Pesos) It was good but a bit dry. I ordered the best seller, Chicken Katsu (@ 145 Pesos). It was a little bit spicy and delicious. My partner ordered Katsudon (@ 150 Pesos). We ordered another Pork Tonkatsu (@ 140 Pesos) just to sample it and it was sumptuous. 

Pork Katsudon, Chicken Katsu and Pork Tonkatsu

Pork Katsudon, Pork Ginger, Chicken Katsu and Pork Tonkatsu

                                          

         For drinks we had Green Tea and I had their home-brewed Iced Tea (@ 30 Pesos).  It was just too bad their pudding was not available; oh well, maybe next time.

            Crazy Katsu is a good find- simple, tasty and very affordable!

Mang Larry's Isawan at U.P. Diliman and Tomato Kick at Maginhawa St., U.P. Village

             On a Thursday, my friends and I went on a food trip. First, we went to Damsa Burgers, a deal I purchased at Metrodeal. It was hard to find in New Manila. Much to our dismay it was a tiny shack not worth making our trip or a review.

            Our next stop was U.P. Diliman. I thought Mang Larry’s Isawan was still beside the Post Office. Well, we learned that they moved near Khas Restaurant another favorite hangout of mine before where I used to have lunch or early dinner. 

            For the first time, I’ve tasted the isaw and barbeque at Mang Larry’s. It is a thriving business and we have to fall in line and it was very long. We ordered the Pork Barbeque, Chicken Isaw, I think my other friend had Baticolon and the Special Isaw ng Baboy. 

            The Pork Barbeque was ok nothing special about it. The Chicken Isaw was good but it was the Special Isaw ng Baboy that was the best! A winner I must say. The sauces were undeniably yummy. Mang Larry prepared 2 large jugs for the sweet and spicy and the vinegar sauces. I think we had 4 pieces or more of the Pork Barbeque, Chicken Isaw and Special Isaw ng baboy. It

 was just irresistible. 

Nacho Supreme

Quesadilla

            We drove to Tomato Kick Restaurant and bar located at 55 Maginhawa St., U.P. Village, Quezon City. We walked up to the 2^nd floor of the building and we found our way to Tomato Kick. We preferred to stay inside. It has a laid back ambience. I wanted Mexican food and they were offering Nacho Supreme at 130 Pesos and Quesadilla at 60 Pesos and that’s what we ordered for starters. The Nachos were just alright and the quesadillas were really good. 

Sizzling Seafood Salpicao

        I looked at the menu for more pica-pica. They have Sizzling Seafood Salpicao and Gising Gising (Sizzling mussels, squid, leaks and mushrooms in gravy) both at 160 Pesos. They were so delicious and affordable. The drinks were cheap too. A cocktail drink was about 120 Pesos, an Antonov bottle of vodka was less than 100 Pesos and Soda in a glass was 30 Pesos. It was a delightful food trip and definitely right on the budget. 

Gising Gising

            

Yanagi Restaurant at Midas Hotel

            I purchased two vouchers from Metrodeal for Yanagi Japanese Restaurant located at Midas Hotel at 499 Pesos each. It was a good deal since Midas Hotel is fairly new and the restaurant’s ambience is at a high end.

            My partner and I went there for an early dinner before going to the Phantom of the Opera Musical at the CCP. We were greeted cordially by the staff and we were led at a table near the entrance. We were served Miso soup followed by a Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura Mix.

            There were only a few selected dishes at the buffet counter. They served Yasai, House salad with either Sesame dressing or Miso dressing, Assorted Sushi and Maki. For the main course they had Tori Teriyaki, Gohan Rice, Fried Rice, Beef Croquettes which are my favorites and Beef Sukiyaki which is quite sweet for my taste.

            For desserts, they offered slices of fresh melon, pineapple and papaya. They also served Red Bean Dessert and Coffee Jelly which is also my favorite. Yanagi Restaurant serves unlimited coffee or tea.

      

            This culinary experience was unforgettable and I am willing to purchase more vouchers for this deal.

Big Better Burgers

            It was our second visit at Big Better Burgers at SM North Edsa Annex located at the upper ground level. We went back because the grilled burgers were satisfying and delicious.

Hahalapeno Burger

            During our first visit I had the Mushroom Loco Burger and the Hahalapeno Burger (both costs 152 Pesos each). 

Mushroom Loco Burger

            On our second visit, we ordered the two Hahalapeno burgers and two 16 oz. Pepsi Colas (@ 35 Pesos each); since we ordered two premium burgers we get free french fries. 

Hahalapeno Burger