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