House of Lasagna - Cakes and Pastries

   YEsterday, the family was out to search for a new Pediatrician, specializing in Endocrinology and Diabetes, for our daughter Dana, we headed to UE-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital.   After searching the net for where we could find an association which support families and children with diabetes-related concerns, we didn't get lucky.   We never found the organization, we never found a suitable doctor, but grateful, because we met a Pediatrician, who was so kind enough to refer us to a known Pedia at Philippine Gen. Hospital who works with Diabetic children.   It took us an hour to search for the office or doctors, and it did make our kids (three girls) and us hungry.
   COming from Sta. Mesa, we decided to drop by Little Baguio, San Juan.   We went there before in search for Carol's Texan 5, and discovered a "foodie hill".   My daughter asked us, " Why is this place called Little Baguio?"   Sure it was not below 20* C there and no pine trees can be found.   The fact stands that we didn't know also.   We still have to discover and ask about it though.
   BUt what we discovered was that, there are a lot of new and good to try restaurants, cafes and even food stalls, which I swear, would be very interesting.
   I'Ve read about a promo for House of Lasagna and it made me crave for one.   I'm known to be the "pasta lady" at our church and to some of my friends.   Why?  I love pasta! I have lots of them stocked in my pantry, in different shapes and sizes, even the canned tomatoes from Italy.   Even my kids have grown to love my pasta cooking.   However in my possession, I don't have a lasagna.  Though I never intend to buy a package, well I don't actually buy them, they were all being sent by my ever loving parents and sister, from Milan.
   LAsagna is a bit hard to cope with.   It is not like any pasta that you cook by boiling water.   You have to be very careful with it cause if you've overdone it it will rip off and that would not end up being a great-looking lasagna.   It also involves layering with the other ingredients, then baking and to top it off it is more expensive to prepare, that is why it is that special.    I have tried making some in the past, but I would prefer making Baked Macaroni or Spaghetti  instead.
   THat was why I insisted, and my Danielle agreed for us to try House of Lasagna's best-seller, which of course is their version of Beef Lasagna.    Oh, how we adore you, Beef Lasagna of House of Lasagna!   (Hmmm, sounds redundant)   The Bechamel sauce was heaven.   The lasagna, perfectly cooked, layered with the tangy and herbed Italian-style tomato sauce, with tender ground beef, and not to forget, mozzarella cheese.   Our mouth was silent for a moment, really savoring the goodness of the steamy dish in front of us, leaving our two babes waiting for their fried chicken, oh no!    As we craved for lasagna, Dana (7) and Danica (5) waited so impatiently for the Southern Fried Chicken.

   Yes it came, after we emptied the two plates of Lasagna.   My Danielle begging for another plate of it.  But lo, the serving of the chicken were huge!  One plate (order from the menu) is a lot for a kid's tummy, and well Ate Danielle was happy to share with baby sisters.   The chicken were fried gorgeously, as well as the potatoes.  But the chicken meat were a bit bland,  it could have made really perfect with a damp of gravy.  Sorry but my babes aren't ketchup kids.   That's why their the numbers 1 and 2 fans of KFC and JB.  But what I like about it is that it is not oily, great for those watching their diet but still craves for fried chicken.

   FOr dessert, we tried New York Style Cheese Cake.   The basic and simplest form of a cheese cake slice we ever had.    It sure is smooth but I say not that rich.   Correct me if I'm wrong, this isn't baked so it's a No-bake cheesecake.   Anyway, my daughters liked it, but for me it's like an ice cream, light on cheese flavor, on top of grahams crumbs.

Unit 1-B Ground Floor, J.Abad Santos St. cor. V.Cruz St. Little Baguio, San Juan, Metro Manila
Tel. : (02) 570-8610

Food Trip! Manila's Biggest Food Fest

Get ready to FOOD TRIP! MANILA’S BIGGEST FOOD FEST ever to hit Manila Ocean Park this September!

It’s Unlimited Coffee and Cakes at The Orange Place Hotel-Kamias

Enjoy selection of premium cakes and home blend coffee as your heart desires at only P 150.00

Visit them every Monday to Sunday 9am-9pm at The Orange Place Hotel-Kamias, 26 Kamias Road, West Kamias, Quezon City or call (632)425-1398

Brought to you by The Coffee Beanery

www.facebook.com/ashaschool | www.asha.edu.ph

Adventures of Mrs. Foodie at Venice Piazza, PART TWO

Our Food Passport

Date:  July 9, 2011
Time: 8:00 pm
Location:  Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Taguig
Weather:  Rainy  (the whole day)
Event:  Food Adventure
Things to bring: car key, SLR Camera, Food Adventure Passport

Another Picky-Palating at Teriyaki Boy

Don't you love the chibi Japanese painting of their placemats and what looks like a  guano plate, hahaha

Shake Sashimi

Frostings Moments

 Another of my kids' cupcake cravings, and mine of course.  As we were searching for another cupcake store, we chanced upon Frostings at Market, Market.   It was just a small stall but big on cupcake ideas.

Patio Filipino:The Heart of Batangas Dining

Felizardo and Manlapaz Family

All ready for our stomach to battle out one tremendous lunch!

For me, seeing the food served one by one, made me anxious.  I didn't know which one to try first.

After a fun-packed full of rigorous  activities prepared by AMANSINAYA RESORTS, we were all famished.   What's even more amazing was we had our lunch at the pool side since there was a seminar inside the patio.

Flamin' Hot Dessert from My Pink Wasabi

Tonight is going to be a flaming hot but sweet night!

As My Pink Wasabi roguishly entice us with Chef Anna Marin Chua's newest dessert line.  Now that's Unbeatable!

Fi Philippines Set To Attract Major International Players

This year the launch of Fi Philippines will mark the success of the Food ingredients Asia exhibitions. Served over fifteen years, the Fi Asia exhibitions have attracted over hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors.

Fi Philippines 2011 will be a great help to all sectors of the local food industry enabling businesses to expand at both the domestic and international levels. And with the growth of the ASEAN region they need to stay in front of the latest developments

Adventures of Mrs. Foodie at the Piazza at Venice (Part 1)

Just in time to probe our new baby, the Canon 1100D starter kit.  Gosh, I'm such a noob, really!   (That's what my kids call me, when they need to hit me with a joke!).

I used to shy away from new technologies, coz I know I still like the old school stuff, but we were offered a "shop now, pay later" package from one of the digital shops at MOA when we were looking for a cheap ink jet printer.   Without proper training and know hows, we still took the challenge of owning one!!!

Where could be a perfect spot to train up with our new gadget, but at the Italian-inspired night out at The  Piazza at Venice, McKinley Heights.

What could be the perfect subject, but Food, lots of picturesque dishes...

What could be a perfect concomitant, but the Food Adventure!

Remember, I announced this event last month, here is the link:    http://www.gastronomybyjoy.com/2011/06/food-adventure-2011-at-venice-piazza.html

A Food Adventure has been going through since May.   It was supposedly be until June, but good thing they extended it until July 30.

Here begins our "avventura alimentare"...

First up, salads.  So we decided to head off first at Blackwoods Bistro.   Hmmm... Sorry but I have to really voice this out.   My food adventure turned out to be a "Foodie's Misadventure."   Well you see we came a bit late already, we were there passed 8, we thought we needed to consume the whole passport.   We still yet have to know the rudiments of the sport, we saw a lot of diners gawking revoltingly at the restaurants lined up inside the Piazza, each having the Food Passport in hand.

You see, to experience the ultimate "food adventure," each foodie explorer needs to purchase the Food Passport.   In it listed 12 cafes and restaurants, each carrying their own specialty.    It is a sit down style dining,  previously I thought it was going to be like a buffet style where the restos have what they offer on a table and we would just get for ourselves anything for each of the twelve restos in the game.   Once you have your food passport you can go around look for the restos and get in, hand over the passport to any staff and they in turn will mark the spot for their restos.   Once the spot is marked, you can not avail another.   So just one try for each restos.

So at Blackwood Bistro we seated, we came inside but we were asked if it would be okay for us to seat outside, well I didn't mind, since we were not there for the restos ambience, we were there to experience what first they could offer, in terms of foods and second in their manner of service.   So that we have the idea, where to go next time and what to order and of course who to refer.

Immediately getting our passports to be stamped,  we were advised that we will be getting two orders already, one dish from Blackwood and another from Pinchos.   We waited for about 20 minutes till we were served,  it was just the Baked Oysters from Pinchos that were served.   Since we were famished, the oysters were "gone in 60 seconds," now awaiting for the salad.   We waited for a few more minutes, we then asked for glasses of water, disappointingly waited 15 minutes more for the water, and only one waiter was working for Blackwood, it seemed that all the staff went inside and left the customers waiting.   I never intended to get mad or dislike their sevice, so I went inside Pinchos seeing there are a lot of staff inside, I just spoke to the girl on the door and told her my misery,  she immediately took care of our needs.

Waiting more, we thought of ordering already at Sweet Pea, which is the next resto to Blackwood not to waste more time.   Until, the salad was served.   The wait was worth it, anyways.   The Crab and Mango Salad was delectable, semi-sweet and a bit spicy from the wasabi.   The ripe mango cubes mixed with the green lettuce was so refreshing and with the dressing combined perfect.   My husband, not a salad guy, loved it.   But then again, it is a salad, no cooking involved,  how can a small plate of salad take 20 minutes to prepare? Hmmm...

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!  Wake up call to these two restos.  

Now at Sweet Pea Restaurant.   Kudos!   I give you a high five, all-thumbs up (yeah, I'd even put up my toes with them if I could).   Both for the service and the dish!

I love their Quesadillas, lightly toasted, unadulterated dips went with it, the zesty tomato-onion  and guacamole.   Truly the best combination for the crispy Buffalo Wings.   Play with two tasty-liscious dips, the paprika yogurt or the syrupy type.  Chix served hot and the service a breeze.   We even got to understand the mechanics of the Food Passport.   We almost got disappointed, since it's about 10 pm and most of the restos are closing, and we were only on the third leg of our game.  We thought we wouldn't be able to have the chance try out the other dishes, imagine only 3 of the 12 restos.   Thanks to Sweet Pea's staff, they told us that the passport is still applicable until the 30th, so we can go back on Saturday and continue on with the adventure. 

Hurried up, we still had some space left on our tummies for sweet and cold treats.   Free Yoswirls and Sol Gelato desserts were up for grabs.   It was easy for me to choose.   Even though Yoswirls is nearby, I opt to choose Sol Gelato, which is located at the other side.   Ever since, I've heard of Sol Gelato I became so intrigued.  Do add their Facebook account and you will know why.   So far, the Niagara Falls, the Mount Olympus,  and the Einstein of all gelatos,  The taste of Florence in every creamy bite.  Triple the Nirvana feeling as we have three different flavor samples in a cup. Oh I can't wait to go back on Saturday, perhaps I could steal a few moments and not wait till Saturday.

To be on the safe side I won't give out the names of the scoops we tried yet, because all of them were extremely satisfying, oh Nirvana!    I'm dying to try all their flavors, though I was told that they keep on experimenting with new flavors.   One proof that they are the ones who concoct the gelato and the ingredients are fresh!   More reasons to visit them...